Thank you for your interest in the Hopkins Police Department Civilian Observer Program.  The program was designed to build relationships and promote trust between the police and the community.  It allows citizens' insight into the daily activities within the police department and promotes an understanding of police operations within the community.

Your safety and the safety of the community is our highest priority.  To assure that we can continue to deliver effective service to all of our citizens, we expect civilian riders to adhere to all guidelines, restrictions, and limitations set forth by the Hopkins Police Department and the host officer and/or supervisor.

To be considered for a civilian ride along, you must read and sign the following Data Practices Rights Advisory, Non-Disclosure and Indemnity Agreement, and complete a Ride Along Application.  The purpose of these forms is to release the City of Hopkins, the Hopkins Police Department, and any individual officer from civil liability incurred as a result of your association with the police department as an observer.

Please know the following restrictions are in place:

• The Hopkins Police Department strictly prohibits civilian observes from possessing a firearm or any other weapons while in the company of our officers.  Please remove any such items prior to arriving for your ride along.
• You must be a Hopkins resident, a current student, or an invited guest of the Hopkins Police Department to participate in the program.
• Applicants must be 18 years of age or older to participate in the program.  In order for an age exception to be made, the applicant must be at least 16 years of age and have the consent of their legal parent or guardian.
• Civilian observes are generally allowed to ride once every six months for a maximum of four hours at a time.
• You must be able to physically perform the observation function without the assistance from the host officer.  This includes walking to and from the squad car and getting in and out of the squad car without assistance.
• You will be required to maintain a neat, clean, and businesslike appearance.  Please keep in mind that your appearance while in the company of our officers will be a reflection upon the Hopkins Police Department.
• No photographs or audio/video recordings may be taken.
• The United States Supreme Court has ruled that under most circumstances civilian observes may not accompany police officers into private residences or businesses without the permission of the occupant(s).  When circumstances permit, your host officer will introduce you to the occupants and ask for permission; however, you may not enter the premises until it is granted.  If permission is not granted, you will be asked to remain in the patrol car or at a safe location.
• You may choose to terminate your ride along at any time and your host officer will return you to the police department.  You host officer or supervisor may terminate your ride along at any time at their discretion and you will be returned to the police department.

Now that we have discussed the restrictions place upon the riders, we would like to familiarize you with certain procedures that may assist the officer with whom you are riding:

• Your host officer will explain common procedures and practices and may discuss equipment, training, and other standards and expectations of a police agency.
• Your host officer will allow you to observe as much as possible, but their overall concern will be safety.  Therefore, your host officer may direct you to wait in the squad car or another designated location at their discretion while handling incidents.
• Questions of your host officer should be saved until the call has been completed and/or the officer is no longer engaged in an official action.  That being said, do not be afraid to ask questions!
• And finally, enjoy yourself!  We hope this will be a learning experience for you and give you an insight into the duties of police officers.

We wish to thank you for giving us the opportunity to demonstrate the high standards and level of service provided and performed by the officers and staff of the Hopkins Police Department!

As an applicant for the civilian ride along program, you are being asked to provide information about yourself, which will be used in consideration of your application.  The purpose of this request is to obtain information about you to permit the police department to complete local and state level background check(s), outstanding warrant(s) checks, and when applicable, to ensure that you possess a valid Minnesota driver's license.

Applicants under consideration for a civilian ride along must not have:

• Any prior felony arrests;
• Any Gross misdemeanor arrests in the last five years;
• Any misdemeanor arrests in the past year, or;
• Any convictions for crimes against persons, violent crimes, weapon violations, or similar violations.

You are being requested to sign these documents and complete the information in order to be considered for a ride along.  The Hopkins Police Department requires the information contained in the Ride Along Release and the Non-Disclosure and Indemnity Agreement to be acknowledged.  If the information is not furnished or acknowledged, processing of your application will not proceed and the ride along will not be permitted.

The data you are being asked to provide is defined under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act.  Under the Data Practices Act some of this data is classified as public data and the remaining information is classified as private data or confidential.  As a result of the classification of this data, the Hopkins Police Department will not release to any person other than public officers and agencies who have a need to know such information in order to process and make a decision on the approval of your application.  The purpose and intended use of the information provided to the Hopkins Police Department is to determine whether authorization for your ride along should be approved.

If a ride along is granted, that data supplied by the ride along applicant will become public.  Public data is data that is available to any person upon request.

WHEREAS the undersigned has voluntarily elected to ride as a passenger in the police department vehicles of the City of Hopkins, Hennepin County, Minnesota and to accompany police officers of said city while engaged in the performance of their duties, to study and observe his/her own benefit the functions and operations of the Hopkins Police Department and it's personnel; and

WHEREAS the undersigned desires to do so at his/her own risk and recognizing the possible and inherent danger to his/her person and property resulting there from; and

WHEREAS in connection with this observation of the police department, the undersigned may become privy to certain information that should not be disclosed to other individuals and which may include data which is classified as private, confidential, or non-public under State and Federal law; and

WHEREAS the City of Hopkins does not wish to be liable for any damages arising from personal injuries and/or property damage sustained;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and other good and valuable consideration, the undersigned does hereby for himself/herself, his/her wife/husband, heirs, executor or administrator and personal representatives:

1. Agree to refrain from disclosing to a spouse, parent, friend, or any other individual information of any nature that the undersigned may obtain through his/her observation of the Hopkins Police Department;
2. Assume full responsibility for any personal injury or damage to his/her person or property which may occur - directly or indirectly - while in, on or about such police department vehicle, the police department premises or any part thereof, at the Hopkins City Hall, the Hopkins City Garage, and all other City-owned property, or while accompanying any police officers of the City of Hopkins while in the performance of their duties;
3. Fully and forever release and discharge the City of Hopkins, its agents and employees from any and all claims, demands, damages, rights of action or causes of action, present or future, whether the same be known, anticipated or unanticipated, resulting from or arising out of the undersigned's being in, on or about such police department vehicle or at any or all of the premises and places aforesaid or while accompanying any police officers of the City Hopkins as aforesaid;
4. Indemnify and hold harmless the City of Hopkins, its agents and employees for any acts or conduct of the undersigned of whatever kind of nature whatsoever while in, on, or about any such police department vehicle or at any or all of the premises and places aforesaid or while accompanying any such police officer as aforesaid or disclosing at any time or place information learned while observing the operation of the Hopkins Police Department.
5. Agree to defend and to pay any costs or attorney's fees as a result of any action brought by or against the City of Hopkins, its agents and employees for any acts or conduct of the undersigned of whatever kind of nature whatsoever while in, on, or about any such police department vehicle, or at any or all of the premises and places aforesaid, or while accompanying any such police officer as aforesaid or disclosing at any time or place information learned while observing the operation of the Hopkins Police Department.
6. State that he/she is as of the date of the execution hereof, the age of eighteen (18) years or older, or that he/she is under eighteen (18) years of age and that his/her parent/guardian has agreed and explained the terms of this agreement to him/her; and
7. Agree that it is the intent of the undersigned that this Ride Along Release, Non-Disclosure and Indemnity Agreement be in full force and effect at any time after the execution hereof.