Township of Lower Merion Police Ride-Along Program

The Lower Merion Police Department Ride Along Program is designed to help educate the community about what the police department does on a daily basis and to help residents become familiar with the officers and the department.

The program is intended to develop partnerships with the community through interaction and to foster a better understanding of the challenges, hazards and rewards of being a police officer in Lower Merion Township.

Eligible Participants

To be considered for the Ride Along Program, applicants:

• Must be at least 18 years of age;
• Must pass a limited background check. Applicants with outstanding warrants, crime conviction, violent crime arrests, or pending criminal charges will be denied.
• Must have an acceptable history of sound mental health.
• Must complete and submit Request for Ride-Along Form 
• Must be willing to comply with the program rules and guidelines (outlined below);
• Must not have participated in a Lower Merion Township Ride-Along in the past 12 months.
• Lower Merion Reserves the right to reject any Ride-Along request.

Program Rules and Guidelines

1. Arrange for transportation to and from the Lower Merion Police Station.
2. In order to comply with department policies and procedures, you MUST utilize the safety belts and safety equipment in the police vehicle.
3. You WILL NOT be able to photograph, videotape or tape record any portion of the Ride Along unless approved by the Superintendent of Police.
4. Certain police calls are considered inherently dangerous and your police partner may respond to the call after dropping you off at a safe place. Follow the procedure outlined by your police partner and wait for a police vehicle to pick you up. Participants must stay in the police vehicle unless otherwise instructed.
5. You are encouraged to ask questions about police work.
6. DO NOT interfere in any way with the officer’s handling of a situation. You may ask questions concerning a specific assignment after it has been completed and you have left the scene.
7. You may observe an event on your Ride-Along that may require your appearance in court as a witness.
8. The waiver of liability which is on the Request for Ride-Along form is to be completed by you and notarized.  In essence, it releases the Lower Merion Police Department and the Township of Lower Merion, PA., from any liability.
9. Wear neat, clean, appropriate clothing. Shorts, sweat suits or jogging suits, tank tops, halter-tops, or clothing that is torn, soiled or displays offensive language or symbols will not be allowed.
10. Ride-Along participants may not carry a firearm or any other weapon.
11. Participants must provide the assigned officer with proper identification prior to the Ride-Along.

Application

If you are interested in applying for a Ride-Along, please download the Request for a Ride-Along Form and return the form either in person or by mail to:

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