The next time you see an Iowa State athlete in a police car, don’t jump to conclusions.

The ISU Department of Public Safety and the Ames Police Department have been working with the Athletic Department on a student ride-along program.

The program, headed by DPS Capt. Rob Bowers and Ames Police Officer Dwight Gaines, requires athletes who are new to ISU to accompany DPS and Ames Police officers for a couple of hours during a shift.

Bowers said the idea began when Dan McCarney came to ISU.

“[McCarney] wanted to establish a liaison with law enforcement,” Bowers said. “The idea is to help acclimate student athletes from other communities to the Ames environment.”

Ames Police Sgt. Randy Kessel also supports the program.

“Lots of things like public intoxication and fights are not looked into in bigger cities like they are in Ames,” he said. “We wanted to be more proactive with the athletes at ISU.”

Bowers also stressed that any ISU student could participate in the ride-along.

“This is not strictly a program for athletes,” Bowers said. “It’s a good way for students to get to know the DPS and for DPS to renew their student experience.”

So far only five athletes have taken advantage of the program. Organizers are looking for participation to increase as football season closes in November.

Bowers said in the event of an emergency, the risk to students on a ride-along is extremely small.

“If it were a true emergency,” Bowers said, “the primary response would be sent to another car; if it couldn’t, the student would be asked to get out.”

Bowers said student interns ride a total of 60 and 90 hours per week, and there has never been a problem.

Organizers of the ride-along program said officer support for the program is high.

“Most of us are sports fans anyway,” Kessel said. “It’s always fun to see them win.”