Ride Alongs

[Mquinn78]

For the past 4 months, I have logged in over 250 hrs of night time ride alongs with various agencies, I was wondering, will this look good on the application process that I am going out there and spending alot of time getting to know the aspect of what a LEO does

[tacscuba]

It can't hurt. I would mention it somewhere in the cover letter.

[StudChris]

It doesn't really look bad, but hopefully in there is also working full time and/or going to school full time. Honestly, that comes out to almost 80 hours a month, which is just half of what we do. Just being honest with you, but if your application came to me with those numbers, I would most likely think you're already way too hung up on the job, and would probably pass on you. If you're doing that while also working full time and/or going to school full time, then I'd still think you have way too much time on your hands and you're way to hung up on wanting to be a cop... but it wouldn't look as desperate.

[Hisrighteousness]

yeah man thats enough...stop...watch monday night football or the world series or ufc or something that gives you a testosterone rush at home man

[Mquinn78]

Thanks guys for the feedback, however there is a number of reasons why Im doing these ride alongs, gaining experience looks good, have I been in a situation where there is something going on that I have to intervene, yeah of course, but it's not all for the excitement believe me, I used to work for a high risk security agency called Critical Intervention Services in Tampa and was assigned to work in "Suit Case City", where I saw plenty of action, doing ride alongs to get to know the city where Im applying helps out, knowing the city motto where u might be asked what is it, knowing the hot spots, knowing the certain people that continue to cause problems within in the city also helps. I understand everyone has their own opinion when it comes to it, and I have no problem with that, I am currently unemployed and working on going back to school to finish my criteria to get my degree and doing this as well, to show that I am truly desperate to become a LEO, does certain departments want to see that, yes of course, so it doesn't show that I am sitting on my *** doing nothing, going out to different agencies and gaining experience, officers opinions, pros and cons on what to expect in the interviews, academy and so forth. And yes I do wear body armor when I am out.

[maverick09]

Thanks guys for the feedback, however there is a number of reasons why Im doing these ride alongs, gaining experience looks good, have I been in a situation where there is something going on that I have to intervene, yeah of course, but it's not all for the excitement believe me, I used to work for a high risk security agency called Critical Intervention Services in Tampa and was assigned to work in "Suit Case City", where I saw plenty of action, doing ride alongs to get to know the city where Im applying helps out, knowing the city motto where u might be asked what is it, knowing the hot spots, knowing the certain people that continue to cause problems within in the city also helps. I understand everyone has their own opinion when it comes to it, and I have no problem with that, I am currently unemployed and working on going back to school to finish my criteria to get my degree and doing this as well, to show that I am truly desperate to become a LEO, does certain departments want to see that, yes of course, so it doesn't show that I am sitting on my *** doing nothing, going out to different agencies and gaining experience, officers opinions, pros and cons on what to expect in the interviews, academy and so forth. And yes I do wear body armor when I am out.

please tell me this is a joke.

[Delta_V]

It doesn't really look bad, but hopefully in there is also working full time and/or going to school full time. Honestly, that comes out to almost 80 hours a month, which is just half of what we do. Just being honest with you, but if your application came to me with those numbers, I would most likely think you're already way too hung up on the job, and would probably pass on you. If you're doing that while also working full time and/or going to school full time, then I'd still think you have way too much time on your hands and you're way to hung up on wanting to be a cop... but it wouldn't look as desperate.

+1. Doing all those ride alongs (especially wearing body armor) won't make you look good at all and will instead make you look like a wannabe or squirrel. You will definitely appear to be too hung up on the job. When the agency sees that you used to work for CIS, that will just serve as confirmation.

[donjuan856570]

Thanks guys for the feedback, however there is a number of reasons why Im doing these ride alongs, gaining experience looks good, have I been in a situation where there is something going on that I have to intervene, yeah of course, but it's not all for the excitement believe me, I used to work for a high risk security agency called Critical Intervention Services in Tampa and was assigned to work in "Suit Case City", where I saw plenty of action, doing ride alongs to get to know the city where Im applying helps out, knowing the city motto where u might be asked what is it, knowing the hot spots, knowing the certain people that continue to cause problems within in the city also helps. I understand everyone has their own opinion when it comes to it, and I have no problem with that, I am currently unemployed and working on going back to school to finish my criteria to get my degree and doing this as well, to show that I am truly desperate to become a LEO, does certain departments want to see that, yes of course, so it doesn't show that I am sitting on my *** doing nothing, going out to different agencies and gaining experience, officers opinions, pros and cons on what to expect in the interviews, academy and so forth. And yes I do wear body armor when I am out.

........

[AlmostaLEO]

Cool! So my entire three hours I have logged is just enough.

[gcopter]

C'mon guys! Don't be so hard on the man!
If he wants to do ride alongs ad nauseum, fine, let him be. It's up to the departments to allow him. Had he been too eager or pesky, I'm sure he would've developed a reputation by now and the word had spread out to keep him away. He wants to wear body armor on the ride longs, fine! I know I would, especially when you have to sign a release of responsibility. Unfortunately, security guards have developed a bad rap with cops, who only see them as wanabees. Remember that, that lonely security guard working the night shift, can be a resource of info should something happen in the area where he / she works. That is of course, if he is doing he's job and not sleeping. But this guy sounds like he is not. So cut the guy some slack, will you? Can't we all get along?

[Delta_V]

Whatever reputation that security guards have with the police are through their own interactions. The company that he used to work for has a reputation in the area for hiring extreme wannabees who want to drive around in Crown Vics and wear BDUs. Do all of their employees fit this mold? Absolutely not, in fact the vast majority of them are an asset to law enforcement and looked upon in a positive light. That said, I think it's pretty obvious from this guy's posts and comments that he does fit the mold.

Why would someone who isn't a cop even go out and purchase body armor to wear on ride-alongs (unless he stole it from his ex-employer)? That's a big expense for someone who is admittedly unemployed and in school.

[wonder140]

I agree with Stud...that's a ton of hours spent in ride alongs. While most (academies, etc) would encourage a few ride alongs to make sure this is the career you truly want, logging that many hours is just extreme. Body armor?

To each is own I suppose....

It would seem like you should focus on achieving your degree goals first. You are spending nearly 20 hours a week on ride alongs. Maybe spend those hours at the college your attending to finish up quicker.

[donjuan856570]

better left for a PM......

[tacscuba]

Regarding the body armor....maybe the department requires ride alongs to wear it? One department up here did when I rode with them.

[Mquinn78]

I understand everyone has their opinions on the matter and will take in every comment to each of its own. Ironically, last week I meet the chief of police with one department before I rode out and right there randomly he asked a few questions on what I learned on patrols. Answered every question immediately and surprising he was impressed and asked if I had submitted a app with the department and which I did and then was told "expect a phone call next week", earlier today I got a phone call for the interview, I'm not gonna get my hopes up just yet, but its a step in the right direction since one Chief was impressed, but again, every department is different, keep doing what Im doing, finish up with school, find a job and so forth and take it from there, and as for workin for CIS, I bought my own armor when I was working with them and I tell ya, if they had a sub division down here like they are branching out to cities like Orlando, I would still be doing it, 90% of what I was doing was law enforcement work even though the pay was ummm ok, but the experience with my FTO's, working alongside HCSO was one of the best jobs I have worked in the security field, I see they have grown since i left back in 06 and still to this day I miss working for them.