When AmyH Pretends She's in a Buddy-Cop Movie
As part of Valley Leadership, we get to go on police ride-alongs as a Citizen Observer. I scheduled mine for a December Saturday during the morning/day shift in a South Phoenix precinct. This isn't the best part of town, so I'm looking forward to an eye-opening experience.
They had to run a background check on me before I could do it. Although I can't think of what could possibly have been on it, I was a little nervous and then really relieved when it all came back clear. It's that old Permanent Record threat never going away, I guess.
Which reminds me - a friend of mine keeps track of another person we know through the Superior Court website, as criminal cases are public record. I thought maybe I should go see if I'm on there somewhere, as if I would be involved in something I'm not aware of, right?
My confirmation letter for my ride has instructions on dress (business casual, no open toe shoes) and no weapons. I guess they don't want us to bring our own guns, even if we think we're just trying to help. The 'no weapons' part is in bold, so I suspect this has come up on more than on occasion before. Damn vigilantes, ruining it for the rest of us.
One of my classmates is an officer in this particular precinct. He said he would make sure I have a great time. Not sure what that would entail, exactly, but hopefully it's not too exciting. If there's a chance I'll be on a "Cops" episode, I'll let you know when it will air.
Comments
The officer isn't happy to see you, that's just his shotgun. Srsly, you'll be jammed up against the thing in the front seat, and your knee on the computer. He'll be carrying a handgun, a taser, and about 20 pounds of other stuff on his belt.
The convo between the two cocaine addicts/petty thieves in the back seat as we took them to jail is something I'll never forget.
Hmm, not sure why that would be. They were specific about no tank tops or shorts and open toe shoes, but didn't say anything about jeans.
You should call up your local PD and see if you can set something up!
A friend of mine bought a ride-along with the Tempe fire department at a silent auction. She gets to take a friend and I volunteered immediately and enthusiastically. I'm such a concerned citizen. :-)
Great advice, Laurie! Thanks! I need to come up with a good, memorable one-liner I can deliver with authority to all the miscreants as well.
LT - fun! Now I really can't wait to do this. I could have picked any precinct in Phoenix but this is the closest one to my home in Tempe.
South Phoenix is a mix of barrio and gated suburban cookie cutter housing developments. Should be interesting!