Dodging bullets and spitting nails, he runs at the speed of light, hot on the trail of a murderous, drug-dealing, gun-toting gangster. At last he nabs the dirty criminal, throwing him up against the wall and disarming him.

He is the Man of the Year, the dude with an attitude, the true hero of the masses -- he is the popular image of the police officer.

Ever wonder what our men and women in blue really do? Now you can find out by participating in the University Police Services' Ride-Along program.

In its 15th year, the program offers people a chance to tag along with a University police services officer on a night patrol to find out exactly what they're up to, said Bob McNichols, University police supervisor.

University police officers are sworn, armed police officers whose primary patrol duties entail responding to incidents, he added.

Students, faculty, University staff or community members can participate, he said, although the program usually draws students working on class assignments and students majoring in law enforcement. Interested people need only go to the University Police Services office in Grange Building.

"It's a good idea for anyone that wants to learn the groundwork to get into police enforcement -- one way to get your feet wet, so to speak," he said.

Students sign a release form and then jump into a patrol car with an officer. The program is restricted to two-hour stints during the evening patrol because of the greater availability of personnel, McNichols said.

A similar program, Walk-Along, allows people to accompany an officer on foot patrol. This program is not as popular as Ride-Along, because people do not like to walk unless they have to, McNichols said.

The rider program attracted 56 people last year, but no one participated in the walking program, he said.