The Virginia Beach Police Department does have a Ride-Along program. The Ride-Along Program is only available to persons 18 years of age or older. Ride-Alongs are available on a first come, first served basis. Interested individuals should fill out the
Ride-Along Application and
Criminal Record Information Request. Please note the Criminal Record Information Request requires a notary signature. Contact the police precinct in their area for further details (see Ride-Along Application for phone numbers).
All completed applications will be filed and applicants will be selected in chronological order. You will be required to execute a liability waiver form and will be given a copy of the observer's rules and regulations. On the scheduled day and time, you should report to the designated precinct/bureau. A brief, get-acquainted meeting will be held so that the host officers can introduce themselves and answer any questions you might have. Once the introduction is complete, you will be given an abbreviated tour of the police facility and if possible, the Virginia Beach 9-1-1 Emergency Communications Division. The remainder of the Ride-Along assignment will be spent responding to various police calls for service.
Participation in the Ride-Along Program is contingent upon adherence to rules and regulations governing the program. You will be occupying the position of a silent observer during this time. We request that you do not reveal what you see or hear during your tour which could be detrimental to the prosecution of any case arising from the officer's performance of his/her duties. You may be called upon to be a witness in a court proceeding, and you may be called upon for assistance. The decision for this will rest with the officers to whom you are assigned and the given circumstances. All participants will be expected to be properly dressed and in keeping with the standards of the police organization. Observers will only be permitted to participate twice within a 12-month period, unless further approval is granted by the Deputy Chief of Operations.