Citizen Ride Along

Ride-Along

A ride-along gives members of the public an opportunity to see first hand what it's like to work for Klamath County Sheriff's Office. If you are interested in going on a ride-along, you must fill out a Civilian Observer Application which you can pick up at our Klamath County Sheriff's Office (3300 Vandenberg Rd.) or you can download the application here.

Completed forms must be turned in to the Sheriff's Office. You will be contacted with a time and date when your background check is complete.

If there are times and dates when you cannot be scheduled, please note them on a separate sheet of paper. We will do our best to accommodate you.

Please note the following when considering a ride-along:

The Citizen Observer (Ride-Along) Program follows established guidelines for the protection of the observer. Deviation from these guidelines without the expressed consent of the host deputy sheriff is cause for immediate termination of the ride-along.

Rules of Conduct

All information and observations acquired by the citizen observer during the ride-along shall be considered strictly confidential unless otherwise stated by the host deputy sheriff.

The citizen observer must realize that any action he/she witnesses during the ride-along may require a court appearance at a later date.

Under no circumstances shall a citizen observer:

1.  Be permitted to carry any weapon unless authorized and approved by the shift supervisor.

2.  Operate the patrol vehicle or any other equipment.

3.  Act as an agent for the Sheriff's Office or otherwise perform any Sheriff's Office related duty.

4.  Approach any vehicle on a traffic stop or approach any residence, building, or other situation where the potential for violence exists,       or a crime in progress.

5.  Enter any crime scene of a serious nature (such as a homicide) and/or touch, possess, tamper with, or otherwise have contact with      any evidence.

Safety Considerations:

The physical safety of the citizen observer is of the utmost importance, therefore, host deputy sheriff shall weigh situations for potential hazards when responding to calls.

In cases of possible extreme danger (i.e. person with a gun) the citizen observer may be let out of the patrol vehicle at a safe distance from the area unless qualified to assist. In situations with a potential for violence (fights, family disturbances etc.), the citizen observer shall remain in the patrol vehicle unless qualified to assist.