The University of Maryland, College Park, Department of Public Safety (UMDPS) provides community members an opportunity to participate in the Ride/Walk Along Program with sworn police officers of this agency.  Guidelines have been established to facilitate proper implementation and control of the program.  The guidelines include the following:

1. Applicants must be currently registered students, staff, or faculty of the University of Maryland, College Park, or active job applicants with UMDPS.
2. Applicants must complete and submit the Ride/Walk Along Application at least five business days prior to the requested date for the ride/walk along.  Applicants must also complete the Ride/Walk Along Consent and Release form.
3. The Ride/Walk Along Program Coordinator will review all applications.  A background check, minimally consisting of criminal history, warrant, and driver’s license checks, will be completed on all applicants.  The gender and race information requested on the application is required solely to complete these checks.
4. Applicants may participate in the Ride/Walk Along Program two times each semester.  Ride/Walk Alongs may last up to four hours each time.
5. Approval and/or rejection of an applicant is subject to review by the Chief of Police.
6. Upon application approval, the Ride/Walk Along Program Coordinator will contact you to notify you of this approval and confirm a ride/walk along date and time.

If you are selected to participate in the Ride/Walk Along Program, you must understand and abide by the following:

• You must utilize seat belts, shoulder straps, and any other safety equipment at all times while in the police cruiser;

• It may be necessary for your police partner to drop you off in a safe location before responding to a high-risk call.  If this occurs, wait for a pick-up by the police at the same location you were dropped off, unless instructed otherwise by your police partner;

• Do not attempt to assist or interfere with any officer’s handling of any situation;

• You may be asked to remain in the police cruiser while your police partner handles a call;

• You are encouraged to ask your police partner questions concerning police calls after they have been completed;

• You may observe an event on your ride/walk along that could require your appearance in court as a witness for the State of Maryland.  If subpoenaed as a witness by the court, you will receive no compensation from the State or the University of Maryland.

During your participation in the Ride/Walk Along Program, you may obtain access to information that is confidential and must not be discussed by you after your ride/walk along.  Even though you are encouraged to share your experiences from your ride/walk along with others, some things you learn must be kept confidential.  It is not possible to provide a complete listing of all types of confidential material.  Confidential information includes, but is not limited to:

• Names or other identifying information of sexual offense victims;

• Names or other identifying information of juveniles involved in crimes;

• Names or other identifying information of seriously injured or deceased persons prior to notification of next of kin;

• Names or other identifying information of suspects who have not been arrested or criminally charged; and

• Any information that may jeopardize the successful investigation of an incident or crime.

If you decide to participate in the Ride/Walk Along Program, you must complete the Ride/Walk Along Application and the Ride/Walk Along Consent and Release form.  Be sure to include all requested information including your day and evening phone numbers, email addresses, and the date and time you would like to ride/walk along.  The Ride/Walk Along Program is very popular.  Therefore, the Ride/Walk Along Program Coordinator may ask you to provide multiple dates and times you are available, which will facilitate scheduling of your ride/walk along.  Keeping in mind ride/walk alongs may last up to four hours, please adhere to the following when selecting a time for your ride/walk along:

• If you would like to ride/walk during the Day Shift, please select a starting time between 8:00 a.m. and noon;

• If you would like to ride/walk during the Evening Shift, please select a starting time between 5:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.; and

• If you would like to ride/walk during the Midnight Shift, please select a starting time between 11:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m.

Before you will be permitted to ride/walk, your signature on the Ride/Walk Along Consent and Release form must be witnessed.  You will find this form in the lobby of the Public Safety Headquarters Building on Rossborough Lane at US Route 1, which is where you will check in and meet with your police partner.  Please pick up a Ride/Walk Along Consent and Release form and sign it in the presence of your police partner.  Your police partner will then sign the form as a witness.

If you elect to complete a paper Ride/Walk Along Application it must be submitted to the Ride/Walk Along Program Coordinator:

Lt. Steven R. Kowa, Ph.D.

Executive Officer

University of Maryland Department of Public Safety

College Park, MD 20742-6011

Applicants are encouraged to submit Ride/Walk Along Applications via the UMDPS web page (www.umdps.umd.edu.)  Applicants wanting to complete paper applications may pick one up at the Public Safety Headquarters Building on Rossborough Lane at US Route 1.  Paper forms may be sent via US Mail, campus mail, or hand delivered to Public Safety Headquarters.  For questions about the Ride/Walk Along Program, Lt. Kowa may be reached at (301) 405-5723 or via email at skowa@umpd.umd.edu.

The professional men and women of the University of Maryland Department of Public Safety hope your participation in this program will be a rewarding experience.

Sincerely,

Kenneth W. Krouse

Chief of Police