What is the duty to intervene regarding excessive force by colleagues?

• A. Only supervisors can intervene
• B. Intervene only if there is a risk of legal action
• C. Officers must intervene and stop excessive force when safe to do so, provide aid, and report the incident
• D. Ignore and document later

Answer: (C)

Watches over colleagues’ use of force must be accompanied by action to prevent harm. When excessive force is observed, you have a duty to intervene and stop the harm if it can be done safely, provide aid to the person affected, and report the incident through proper channels. This trio—intervene to halt the action, render medical or basic assistance, and document the event for investigation—helps protect everyone involved, preserves safety, and supports accountability within the department.

Intervening isn’t limited to supervisors; any officer is responsible to act when it’s safe to do so. It isn’t about hoping for legal action or waiting to document later—those notions neglect immediate safety and the integrity of the conduct in the moment. Ignoring the situation fails the immediate needs of the person affected and the standards of professional conduct, making the three-part response the appropriate and responsible choice.