Yamhill County Sheriff Programs

Yamhill County Sheriff's Office creates special programs that target specific needs of local residents.

Yamhill County Ride-Along Program

UPDATED JANUARY 15, 2019 - At this time, Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office has suspended its ride-along program. In consideration of the safety of our interested citizens and YCSO deputies, we have placed this offering on hold while we work to revise the program to provide a better experience for our citizens. Ride-alongs will still be available for YCSO deputy candidates through the application process. Please continue to check back for any updates. 

Ride-Along Qualifications

As part of our on-going commitment to encourage communication and partnership, the Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) offers a Citizen Ride-Along program to provide the citizens of Yamhill County the opportunity to observe the functions of the YCSO and experience the law enforcement responsibilities of the office first hand. The time spent on the ride-along also allows the opportunity for conversation and greater understanding between the citizen and deputy sheriff. Due to the popularity of the program, participants are limited to three rides per calendar year.

You may request to participate in the Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office Ride-Along program if you are a Yamhill County citizen and:

• at least 18 years of age or
• between the ages of 14 and 18 if the following requirements are met:
  • The applicant is an active member of a law enforcement explorer scout post or cadet program, and a letter of approval from the advisor is submitted;
  • The applicant is a student enrolled in a course/subject closely related to law enforcement, and a letter of approval from the instructor is submitted; and
  • The applicant must obtain permission from parent/guardian and submit a signed Parental Endorsement.

The following conditions may disqualify you from participation, based on the results of the background check and the determination by the appropriate Sheriff’s Office supervisor:

• Currently on any form of pre-trial release;
• Outstanding warrants;
• Felony conviction;
• Misdemeanor conviction;
• In the jurisdiction of the juvenile court for less than three years for having committed an act which, if committed by an adult, would constitute a felony or a misdemeanor involving violence; or
• If motives for riding are determined not to be in the best interest of the applicant and/or Sheriff's Office.

Rules for Ride-Along

The Ride-Along program follows established rules for the protection of the citizen observer. Violation of these rules may result in immediate termination of the ride-along.

1. Citizens having recently consumed alcoholic beverages or drugs or who appear to have used same will not be allowed to ride.
2. Riders shall not be armed, even with concealed handgun license, except for sworn deputies or officers who are riding.
3. The use of cameras, recording devices, and cell phones are prohibited.
4. For the safety of the rider and the host deputy, as well as the individuals encountered during the ride-along, riders must comply with any order or directive given by the deputy(s).
5. Riders should be appropriately dressed in casual business attire, (e.g. slacks, khakis, etc.). Please, no denim, shorts, heels, low-cut clothing, or clothing that impedes movement. Riders should not wear torn, soiled, or offensive clothing.
6. A ride-along shall last a maximum of one shift.
7. Deputies shall take into consideration their rider’s safety when responding to calls for service. 

Application Procedures

1. For each ride-along request, an applicant shall complete a Citizen Ride-Along Request Form and submit it to the Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office at least ten (10) days prior to the requested ride-along date.
2. Applications will be reviewed by a supervisor and a background check conducted by the Records Division.
3. If approved, the ride-along shall normally be scheduled by the shift supervisor considering both the requested date(s) and operational needs of the Sheriff's Office.
   1. Applicant will be notified of the approval and assigned date/time of the scheduled ride-along.
   2. The host deputy sheriff will normally be selected by the shift supervisor; requests for specific deputies will be honored if possible.
4. Each ride-along will be evaluated by the deputy with whom they ride and that evaluation may determine the citizen’s future eligibility to participate in the ride-along program.

All participants should be aware that all information and observations acquired by the citizen during the ride-along shall be considered strictly confidential unless otherwise stated by the host deputy sheriff. The citizen should also be aware that any action s/he observes during the ride-along may require their participation in legal proceedings. As part of the application, the citizen shall read and sign the included Citizen Ride-Along Waiver.

Yamhill County Reserve Program

Yamhill County Sheriff's Office utilizes Reserve Deputy Sheriffs to work in the areas of Corrections (including Correctional Facility and Courthouse Campus Security) and Enforcement (including Rural Patrol, Woods Patrol, Marine Patrol, or Contract City Patrol). In order to participate in the Reserve program, an interested individual must apply during an open recruitment that will be posted online on the Yamhill County website under Employment Opportunities. The hiring process consists of application screening (including NTN scores), oral board interview(s), background investigation, an administrative interview with the Sheriff, suitability assessment with a psychologist, and a medical assessments.

Reserve deputies become eligible to perform at different levels in the organization based on their training and experience. All non-certified reserves will be required to successfully complete the Mid Valley Reserve Training (MVRT) program, which consists of over 300 hours of instruction and practical application. This academy is held once a year, starting in January. Reserve Field Training and Evaluation Programs (FTEP) vary between the disciplines and may be scheduled before, during, or after MVRT. Reserves who have successfully completed both MVRT and FTEP will be permitted to operate in a solo assignment in their division.

Reserve Deputies working assignments in Marine, Woods, Court Security, and Correctional Facility are paid (hourly), sworn positions once they achieve solo status. Reserve Deputies working assignments on Rural or Contract City patrol are unpaid sworn positions. Reserve Deputies work a minimum of 24 hours per month to supplement and assist regular sworn deputies in their duties and therefore work varied 8, 10, or 12-hour shifts in support of special events, holidays, and weekends. They may work in various special assignments as required.