What is the duty to intervene doctrine primarily about?

• A. Officers who witness excessive or improper force should intervene when safe to do so and report it.
• B. Officers should never intervene
• C. Officers should only intervene if the suspect is a friend
• D. Officers must intervene only after the incident is over

Answer: (A)

Officers have a responsibility to act when they witness excessive or improper force by a fellow officer, with the goal of preventing harm and ensuring accountability by reporting what they observed. Intervention should be done if it can be accomplished safely—stop the inappropriate action, use de-escalation, bring in backup, and promptly document and report the incident through the proper channels. This isn’t about never intervening or intervening only after the fact, and it isn’t dependent on any relationship with the person involved; the obligation is to act during the incident when safe and then report.