INDIANAPOLIS — For the first time since the pandemic started, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department is inviting citizens into their patrol cars for a ride along.
The program was suspended due to COVID, but sign ups are now available.
IMPD Deputy Chief Josh Barker says a ride along is an opportunity for a community member or someone interested in a law enforcement career to get an up front experience about what the job is.
"I think people have to balance what they read in the headlines and the conversations with their friends about what they think law enforcement entails whereas a police ride along gives them an opportunity to spend a full 8.5 shift in a police car," Barker said.
Participants must be at least 18, sign a ride-along and waiver of liability and wear business casual attire on the ride along.
"[Participants will] have an opportunity to ask questions, see the officer interact in a countless variety of situations, make decisions, engage with the community, engage with their fellow officers and really just have a limitless opportunity to have a conversation about what policing in America is like," Barker said.
IMPD says they were frustrated when the opportunity had to shut down and are asking the public to take them up on this opportunity.
"This is an ability for our police department to interface one on one with someone who has experienced our policing services or observed our policing services," Barker said. "Even if you are uncertain about how you feel about the police department ... this too is a great opportunity for you."
-
Anna Delvey, Ilona Maher headline cast of Dancing With the Stars season 33
This year, the cast features two recent Olympic medalists, former NBA and NFL stars, multiple members of the Bachelor universe and a con artist.Judge orders defense can't argue their Odinism claim during Delphi Murders trial
Special Judge Fran Gull ruled that Allen's defense team of Brad Rozzi and Andrew Baldwin failed to produce admissible evidence demonstrating a nexus between Odinism and the murders.IMPD officer arrested for child molestation in Hendricks County
Kamal Bola was arrested Tuesday night on three counts of Child Molestation of a child under 14 and Public Voyeurism in Hendricks County.Fever secures playoff spot for the first time since 2016
Kelsey Mitchell and Caitlin Clark have led the Indiana Fever’s resurgence since the Olympic break. Now they have Indiana in the playoffs. The team is over .500 for the first time since June 13, 2019.