Ride Alongs
The Ankeny Police Department has established a community Ride-Along Program to enhance the relationship between the community and the Ankeny Police Department. This program is designed to be an educational opportunity for residents or business owners to view firsthand police practices, procedures, and activity within our community.
Eligible Participants
This program is open to:
- A media member, resident, or a business owner in the City of Ankeny.
- A spouse or relative of an Ankeny Police Officer.
- An applicant for the position of police officer or community service officer with the City of Ankeny who is on our current certified list.
- Those employed within the City of Ankeny.
- Communication employees employed by Polk County including candidates for the position of communication employment with Polk County.
- Law enforcement officers and visiting officials from other agencies or cities.
- Students currently attending class at any institution of higher learning.
Participant Limitations
- Any person related to an officer biologically or through marriage will not be permitted to ride with an officer to whom they are related, unless specifically authorized by a Sergeant or Division Commander.
- Observers are prohibited from audio or photographic recording during the ride-along unless pre- approved by a Captain or Chief of Police.
- No more than one observer shall be allowed in any patrol vehicle.
- Observation time shall not exceed 4 hours, unless approved by a supervisor.
- The Ankeny Police Department reserves the right to deny a person the right to ride along and observe as well as the right to limit the ride-along to less than 4 hours.
Scheduling
- The Ankeny Police Department has the exclusive right to schedule an observer on a date and time best suited to the Police Department and the Patrol Division.
- Observers shall be limited to one (1) ride-along every six (6) months.
- The rides usually last 2 to 4 hours and many observers prefer the busiest times of the day, which are 2 p.m. and 10 p.m.
Participants must pass a background check. Ride-along requests are granted at the discretion of the Ankeny Police Department.