Police Ride-Along

One of the coolest parts of my Leadership Twin Cities class is the requirement to do a ride-along with a police officer. I just got back from spending a snowy Friday night in a Minneapolis Police Department squad car with a female officer of the First Precinct (downtown). I had high expectations for the experience, and it actually turns out that not that much happens on an average winter weekend night. Totally New to Me, I have never been in a squad or really ever talked to a police officer so I learned a lot. Events of my ride-along:

1. Drive to Bobby & Steve's Autoworld to pick up food for officer at Precinct desk.

2. Hang out at Precinct desk and watch downtown video cameras while officers eat.

3. Investigate stolen car incident at video store.

4. Give parking ticket to woman returning to car parked illegally in Cedar Riverside area.

5. Observe intersection by Bedlam to unsuccessfully try to catch people driving through stop sign.

6. Investigate argument at Riverside tower.

7. Pick up tip on possible illegal gun sales from source at Riverside tower.

8. Give parking ticket to woman returning to car parked illegally in Cedar Riverside area.

9. Investigate possible domestic violence case at Fairview Riverside ER.

What I learned:

1.  Not a lot happens in downtown Minneapolis on an average Friday night before bar close.

2. A lot of gas is wasted by leaving squads running all of the time.

3. A lot of people do dumb things such as leaving their car running with doors unlocked at the video store.

4. A lot of motor vehicle tickets are given because nothing else is happening.

5. Cops think that security guards are not cool.

6. Cops wear a lot of heavy gear and guns.

7. Unless something is really important, response is not quick.

8. A woman who cannot speak English or even spell in Somali probably will not be able to leave an abusive husband.

9. It is easy to have a negative perspective on humanity/society when all you see is bad stuff.