Open carry during a ride along.

**Cornfed1100** · 07-12-12, 09:19 AM

Would you allow a ride along to open carry. How would it effect your day?

In Ohio we are restricted from carrying in police stations and court houses. There is no restriction I am aware of as a passenger. (up front of course)

Tapatalk requires no training for things like spelling, accuracy, clarity, cohesiveness or manners.

**stillamarine** · 07-12-12, 09:38 AM

Against dept policy for a ride along to be armed.

**MacLean** · 07-12-12, 12:05 PM

Originally Posted by Cornfed1100

Would you allow a ride along to open carry. How would it effect your day?

In Ohio we are restricted from carrying in police stations and court houses. There is no restriction I am aware of as a passenger. (up front of course)

There are a select few people I would allow to carry concealed, but the chances for confusion are far too great for you to be carrying openly and being present in a patrol car.

**Reca** · 07-12-12, 01:33 PM

Hell No!

**Jks9199** · 07-12-12, 02:15 PM

Originally Posted by Cornfed1100

Would you allow a ride along to open carry. How would it effect your day?

In Ohio we are restricted from carrying in police stations and court houses. There is no restriction I am aware of as a passenger. (up front of course)

Tapatalk requires no training for things like spelling, accuracy, clarity, cohesiveness or manners.

No. Not only is it against the rules, but it's too easy for too much confusion. Got a non-cop, in a cop car, going to cop calls, with a gun... That's just a recipe for confusion.

**stillamarine** · 07-12-12, 02:20 PM

I did a ride along in Gainesville a couple years back. Paperwork said no gun no exceptions. So when I showed up I locked it in my trunk. When I met the officer I was riding with he asked where my gun was. I referenced the paperwork and he said screw that. Cleared it with his boss and I put my gun back on. I was already wearing my vest.

That's the only situation I could see a ride along carrying.

**ChesCopPodz** · 07-12-12, 03:36 PM

Against policy here for anyone not already a cop somewhere else to carry a gun on a ride along

**lewisipso** · 07-12-12, 06:43 PM

I would have to personally know the person, their capabilities and training. Perhaps an out of town visiting police officer or a retired police officer. Proof of training would be paramount. Outside of that...Hell no.

**Xiphos** · 07-12-12, 07:36 PM

It's against policy. As an officer looking to lateral to agencies I went on many ride alongs. Almost all the departments prohibited even me from carrying. Including a department from in the state where I was certified and working already! That didn't stop some cops from letting me stay armed but it was technically a violation.

I have had cops ride with me. I told them what the policy was but followed with, "I'm not searching you." Don't ask, don't tell. Outside a cop I wouldn't allow a gun on a ride along with me.

I have showed civilians how to get to the shotgun in case they needed it but my instruction was only if they were cornered in the car. Otherwise run your ass off and don't stop. There is no duty for a civilian to stand his ground or get involved in a bad situation they may need a gun for. A trained cop will react with his training, even if he's unarmed. Which is why I let them stay armed with me.

**Cornfed1100** · 07-12-12, 08:58 PM

Originally Posted by Reca

Hell No!

OK, that was clear! 10-4.

LOL

Tapatalk requires no training for things like spelling, accuracy, clarity, cohesiveness or manners.

**Pudge** · 07-12-12, 10:28 PM

Open carry? Nope. The right person concealed? I'm not searching them.

**creolecop** · 07-12-12, 10:47 PM

Absolutely not...It's bad enough when shit goes bad I'm bringing a gun in the fight, I don't need to worry about an extra gun on the scene. There are a host of reasons I'd say no, if you are worried about what can happen then you don't ride.

**keith720** · 07-12-12, 11:08 PM

I wouldn't allow anyone other than another cop to carry if they're riding with me.

**slick628** · 07-13-12, 12:39 AM

Civilians - no, not to mention against policy

Other cops - I don't mind, but for CYA, don't let me see it

**jmur5074** · 07-13-12, 08:45 AM

We don't have a policy against it, but absolutely not. I have several friends with CCW and I won't allow them, despite the fact that I know they're sound and safe permit holders and gun handlers.

My reasoning is because of confusion. At work I have backup in minutes, basically anywhere within the city. I don't want someone out of uniform and possibly unrecognizable to my co-workers with a gun on their hip. If my co workers show up and my rider is armed and standing behind me or behind my squad or a tree or something, things could get ugly. Additionally, if I'm involved in a deadly force encounter and my rider feels the need to get involved before, during, or after the cavalry arrives, the confusion may turn deadly for the rider.

Open carry or concealed, not in my squad.

**Cornfed1100** · 07-13-12, 10:14 PM

Very good answers. I do like being the devils advocate. Let me challenge the unanimous no vote.
Officers have had training and Mr ride along has not. Lets assume MR Ridealong is jumping out when the ifficer is no longer in control of the scene. Lets assume MR Ridealong isnt the open carrying jack wagon that pulls a gun in the middle of a common traffic stop. If Mr ride along jumps out and draws a weapon to help the officer, there are now multiple guns on scene. Let's hope at least 2 of the three guns are aimed at bad guy. If additional LEO arrives their training must certainly be used to determine good guy from bad. At the minimum, Mr ride along would most certainly cooperate with voice commands from additional LEO. I doubt the Calvary would arrive guns blazing. Putting every one on scene at risk. (since the fire dept. arrives first in my town, this would put the firemen at risk. LOL)
Mr ride along would be no different than a person walking down the side walk assisting an officer. MR Sidewalk pulls his gun to help a struggling officer. Does it matter he wasn't riding?
Now let's take the weapon out of the equation. If Mr Ride along saw the officer fighting I would expect MR Ridealong to get out and assist the officer. This would also make MR. Ridealong a target when back up LEO arrives. I'd still have faith the arriving officers training could separate good guy from bad guy.

Good guys with guns are always a good idea. Due to the superior training of LEO, I think any body on scene cooperating or helping would be easy to identify.

Tapatalk requires no training for things like spelling, accuracy, clarity, cohesiveness or manners.

**Cornfed1100** · 07-13-12, 10:19 PM

Otherwise run your ass off and don't stop.

LOL, that sounds like Home Land Security training!

Tapatalk requires no training for things like spelling, accuracy, clarity, cohesiveness or manners.

**ChesCopPodz** · 07-13-12, 11:19 PM

Making assumptions is the problem.

I wouldn't want my rider getting out to help on a fight unless I was severely losing. You also assume that the backup officers would know good guy from bad. Lets say they can't readily tell due to their view and perspective of the scene, and that from their angle, it looks as though the second guy with the gun is actually pointing it at me. I also would never assume that my rider would know exactly what to do when the calvary arrives, and wouldn't, in the stress of the moment, turn towards the arriving officers, accidently pointing a gun at them.

I also can't assume that the calvary wouldn't come in guns blazing, as some situations certainly warrant that.

Basically, way too many things to worry about, in addition to the dangerous situation I'd be dealing with. Way too much liability on my part, even though release forms are signed.

Therefore the standard instructions are: here's the shotgun release button. Only use it if I have been shot and am out of the fight, and you believe they are coming for you. Otherwise, here's a spare cruiser key and the radio mike. Tell dispatch, and drive away if possible. Don't get out of the car to help unless I specifically ask for help.

The only ones that does not apply to are current cops.