I'm not saying to follow cops around - or anyone for that purpose. The stalking laws if applicable in your state, are there for a reason. I have no idea why anyone would want to follow a cop. I'm just saying that there is nothing that says you can't follow anyone at a reasonable distance. (As a member of our neighborhood's crime watch, I know all of those laws pretty well because we have to since we DO follow people who are driving in our neighborhood at 3:30 in the morning to see where they are going). If the cop has someone pulled over, or are detaining someone, or are busting a meth lab, etc. etc., you have the right to observe as long as you're not obstructing justice.

If following was a crime, then every private investigator in this nation would be considered a stalker!

 

Just following someone around isn't stalking and can't be enforced or prosecuted as such (at least in California) there also has to be some kind of credible threat made to the person being followed in order for stalking to be enforceable.

For those who want to follow cops around why not just sign up for a ride along with your local department. That way you can sit in the passenger seat and get a up close and personal look at the day to day "business" of police work. Personally I enjoy having people ride along with me, if I can give somebody knowledge about something law enforcement related and they have fun doing it that gives me just as much enjoyment.

 

And If I attempt to help and am injured/killed, who compensates the family, are my wages paid while I recuperate??

 

Probably not, but could you look yourself in the mirror the next day if you just sat and watched me get beat to hell, trying to enforce the laws that keep us all safe? I'm sure my widow and three kids would have appreciated if you had helped in some way.

 

Actually a good point. Unfortunately, as a Marine I never thought of it. And now as a Police Officer, the thought of not helping a fellow Officer never crosses my mind. I would understand if someone did not step in. Could actually be more trouble than help. But, it's been my experience that someone usually steps in, or at least stands by until I'm code 4. And it is much appreciated.

 

Hey, that's what I did - well, actually we were made to do it as a part of our "Code Blue" training - I'm thinking about doing it again for the hell of it. Man, I learned more in that 10 hour shift than I ever did!!

 

It's alot of fun I don't know how big the department you rode along with is but see if you can ride along with a specialized unit like gang enforcement or even traffic enforcement. There is so many different aspects to law enforcement and believe me even guys that have been around for 20 years are still learning something new everyday.

Never mind I just saw that you live in Ft. Worth I'm sure they have a ton of special units that you could ride along with.

 

Oh ABSOLUTELY they do - I have heard that riding along with the NARCO units is a lot of fun. I rode along in my local beat (where not a whole lot goes on except for speeding tickets and the occasional hotrodders and wrecks and probably one domestic disturbance per night if you're lucky). I think they told me that they have over 20 special units that would allow ride alongs, but more specialty units than that altogether in total. I had fun - the officer I rode with was cool, and even gave me directives when we got to the domestic disturbance (there was actually one that night) - he said "take this radio, go into the back yard, crouch in the corner, and if you see anyone bolt out the back door, call it in on the radio"

Very fun stuff - can't wait to do it again, and I was actually happy to know that they do ENCOURAGE ride alongs whenever possible for public education about what they REALLY DO for the community.