Ever wonder what it’s like to be a Police Officer, or what the Police Officers for the City of Buffalo do all day? Many people have had these same questions from time to time, and they have been answered through the Buffalo Police Department Ride Along Program.
This program affords private citizens an opportunity to get a close-up view of the inner workings of the Buffalo Police Department, and is designed to answer many of the questions people have such as the one posed above. Individuals who wish to learn more about the police department and our operations can submit a request to ride along with an officer for a portion of the officer’s shift.
Because of data privacy rules, confidentiality issues, and operational security issues, all applicants must complete a background check prior to being approved for a ride along. While we do approve juvenile’s requests for a ride along, these requests must be signed by a suitable parent or guardian. In addition, requests for a ride along are subject to officer availability.
How do you get started? If you would like to request a ride along, you will need to complete a ride along form and submit it for approval. The form must be turned in personally by the requesting adult, or the parent/guardian of the juvenile who is making the request. You can download a copy of this form by clicking on this LINK, or you can obtain a copy from our office during regular business hours.