Members of the community may ride along with uniformed Hayward police officers while they perform their shift patrol duties. Through a ride along, the public gets an opportunity to meet individual police officers and to see, first-hand, how police officers do their job. While Hayward residents are given priority in participating in ride alongs, Hayward residence is not a requirement for participation.

Who can ride along?

• Participants in the program must be at least 16 years old.
• Preference in scheduling Ride Alongs is given to Hayward residents.
• Only one Ride Along is permitted per calendar year.

How do I apply to ride along?

• Applicants must fully complete the Ride Along Application below. 
• To participate in the program, the Declaration of Assumption of Risk and Release of Liability must be signed by the applicant. If the applicant is under 18, both the applicant and their parent or legal guardian must sign the waiver.
• The application and waiver forms must be submitted at least ten working days before the desired Ride Along date.
• A criminal records check will be conducted of all ride along applicants.
• Incomplete applications and applications without the signed waiver will be rejected.

When can I ride along?

• Ride Alongs are scheduled for up to 4 hours and coincide with the different patrol shifts at the Hayward Police Department.
• There is a place on the application form to request specific dates and times to ride along. We will try to schedule your ride along as requested, however there is no guarantee that your request can be accommodated.
• We will contact you to let you know whether your application to ride along has been approved and the date and time you are scheduled to ride.
• Please arrive on time for your scheduled ride along. If you are not here at your scheduled time your ride along may be cancelled.

What should I wear and bring with me when riding along?

• Riders must wear appropriate “business casual” attire which is suitable for having public contact.
• Shirts without collars, T-shirts, tank tops, sweat shirts, jeans, shorts, short skirts, halter tops, sneakers, high heel shoes, baseball caps, beanies, and similar attire are not permissible.
• Clothing which is similar in any way to uniforms worn by members of the Hayward Police Department and any other clothing with lettering, emblems, or similar items which might suggest the rider is a police employee are not permissible.
• It is advisable to bring enough money with you to purchase any food or refreshments you might want to consume while you are riding along. At times, the officer will have the opportunity to take a short break and have a lunch period while you are together. If you wish to eat or drink something during these times you are expected to pay for them yourself.

Rules

• You must comply with the following rules. Failure to comply with these rules will result in the immediate termination of your ride and you will not be allowed to participate in the Ride Along Program in the future.
• Riders are observers and you will be under the direct supervision of a police employee. You must comply with all directions and orders given to you by any police employee. You are not to become involved in any incident, conversation, or altercations between police employees and the public.
• You are expected to conduct yourself in a civil, personable, and courteous manner at all times.
• You are to remain seated in the police vehicle unless the officer specifically tells you that you may accompany the officer. You must wear the vehicle’s seat belt at all times while inside the police vehicle.
• In the event that the officer has to respond to a potentially dangerous situation or hazardous call, you may be dropped off at a safe location away from the incident. If this occurs you will be given specific instructions to follow and the officer will arrange for another police employee to pick you up.
• You may not carry or use any weapon while you are on a Ride Along.
• You may not carry or use any audio recording device, any video recording device, or other camera while you are on a Ride Along.
• You may carry a non-camera cellular telephone with you, but you will not be allowed to make and/or receive calls during your Ride Along except in an emergency.

Ride Along Application and Waiver/Guidelines
Mail or deliver the required forms, at least 10 working days before your desired ride along date, to:
Hayward Police Department
300 West Winton Avenue
Hayward, CA 94544
Attention: Community Policing - Ride Along Coordinator

Application and Waiver

Program Guidelines

For more information, please call Ride Along Coordinator at 510.293.7151