What does the duty to intervene require of officers?

• A. Officers must intervene to stop or prevent excessive force by other officers.
• B. Officers may ignore excessive force when outnumbered.
• C. Only supervisors have the duty to intervene.
• D. Intervention is optional.

Answer: (A)

The duty to intervene requires officers to step in and stop or prevent excessive force by other officers. This standard reflects the obligation to protect rights and preserve life by not turning a blind eye to misconduct and by acting when witnessing improper force. It also supports accountability within the department, since intervening and reporting helps deter abuse and ensure proper handling of incidents.

Why the other ideas don’t fit: ignoring excessive force isn’t acceptable, the duty isn’t limited to supervisors, and intervention isn’t optional for officers; it applies to all who witness excessive force.