This form must be completed for each individual requesting to ride with the Crowley Police Department each time a request is made.
NOTE: If applicant is under 18, a signature from a parent or guardian is required. A form will be sent to you beforehand for signing.
Notice to Requestors
Pursuant to the Crowley Police Department’s Police Observer Program Policy, all persons requesting to ride will be checked for outstanding warrants and criminal history. Any person with a felony conviction will not be permitted to ride. Those with misdemeanor convictions will be considered on a case-by-case basis and must be approved by the Chief of Police or designee. However, a conviction for an offense against a person or public official will disqualify the requestor from riding.
All riders must comply with the established rules and procedures enumerated in the back of this form.
Rider’s conduct must be professional at all times and will not bring discredit or embarrassment to the Crowley Police Department.
Police Observer Information
- Police observers must complete and sign the Request for Approval to Ride in a Crowley Police Unit form.
- NO person under the age of eighteen (18) will be permitted to ride as an observer in a police unit at any time unless the Chief of Police has granted prior approval.
- A warrant and criminal history check are done on all requestors prior to approval being given.
- Police observers may ride a maximum of one (1) time per month unless approved in writing by the Chief of Police or designee.
- Police observers should appear at the scheduled time. If the observer arrives after the assigned officer has gone on the street, the observer has the responsibility of rescheduling the riding period to another date.
- Violation of any portions of the prohibited acts, or dress code, or any behavior that impairs the officer’s ability to perform his/her job, will be considered grounds for being banned from riding.
Dress Code for Police Observers
- Police observers are to dress neatly and conservatively. Cleanliness is required at all times.
- Hair (including facial hair) must be well groomed. Shorts and cut-offs are prohibited.
- Clothing bearing any sign or symbol that advertises any product, business or organization will not be permitted.
- Clothing with offensive designs, logos, letters or devices is prohibited.
- Conservative-type shoes or boots will be worn; sandals and bare feet are prohibited.
Prohibited Acts
- Will not consume alcoholic beverages prior to or during tours of duty;
- Will not use profane or abusive language during the tour of duty;
- Will not engage in excessive conversation, which may distract the officer or interfere with hearing the police radio;
- Will not make remarks or voice opinions to complainants, witnesses, victims, violators or suspects in any manner which would tend to provoke or degrade anyone or escalate tension;
- Will not be allowed into a private residence during the execution of a search or arrest warrant;
- Will not make known to any unauthorized person, information that may compromise a police operation, procedure or investigation that is either in progress or proposed;
- Will not make known to any unauthorized persons the identity of persons arrested, persons being confined in jail, or suspects in a criminal act;
- Will not use information learned during a tour of duty for personal gain;
- Will not carry weapons of any type. Observers possessing a permit to carry a concealed weapon will NOT be allowed to carry a weapon during a tour of duty;
- Non-sworn observers do not have any powers of a police officer, and have no authority except when acting at the direction of a police officer.
Police Observers Will:
- At all times conduct themselves with proper decorum.
- Remain in the police unit during routine traffic stops unless otherwise directed by an officer.
- Remain in or near the police unit during disturbance calls and calls of a serious nature in order to summon assistance by radio if needed, unless otherwise directed by an officer.