Ride Along

I arrived at the Kennesaw State University Public Safety Headquarters yesterday at 1350 for a ride along scheduled for 1400 to 1600. The window was not open at this time and I used a telephone to announce my presence. The window opened at 1355. Like the City of Atlanta Zone 2 Station, the lobby was small and clean with advertisements and awards. It has comfortable seats and honors to former officers.



My host was a sergeant serving as supervisor during that shift. He had me to sign a waiver of liability form, which was witnessed by another officer. The sergeant explained to me that, by signing the form, I waive my right to sue if he gets me killed. However, that did not happen. The rule is simple; I may go anywhere he goes unless he tells me to stay in the truck for my own safety. Speaking of trucks, we were riding in a 2WD Chevrolet Tahoe Police Pursuit Vehicle. It is the only SUV that can go as fast as Crown Victoria. It can do a J-Turn without flipping over and the sergeant should know because he is an Emergency Vehicle Operations Course Instructor.



The Crown Victoria Police Pursuit Vehicle is due to cease production. The Kennesaw State University Department of Public Safety have tested alternative vehicles to replace the Crown Victoria at the Atlanta Motor Speedway, including the Ford Police Interceptor and the Dodge Charger Police Pursuit Vehicle. They have decided to make the 2WD Chevrolet Tahoe Police Pursuit Vehicle their standard vehicle. The Kennesaw State University Police Department also uses foot, bike, and ATV patrols in areas motor patrols can not reach. Security patrols are currently conducted in Ford Rangers, but they will be replaced by full-sized pickup trucks. In my next and what I expect to be my last post on this blog, I intend to continue my discussion on this ride along and tell you of my plans for the future.