How should an officer respond to a subject who attempts to flee?

• A. Prioritize safety, maintain observation, issue commands, call for backup, and avoid unsafe pursuit
• B. Immediately pursue to catch up
• C. Ignore escape and continue with arrest
• D. Use force to stop flight regardless of safety

Answer: (A)

Responding to a subject who attempts to flee requires prioritizing safety and a controlled approach. The best action is to keep the situation safe by maintaining observation, issuing clear commands to stop, and calling for backup, while avoiding a pursuit that could put the public, the officer, or the subject at greater risk. This approach uses de‑escalation, clear communication, and decisive support from others to contain the situation without escalating into a dangerous chase. It also keeps options open should the subject stop or be apprehended later under safer conditions.

Chasing immediately can dramatically increase the risk of a crash, collateral damage, and injuries, and may reduce the officer’s ability to make a lawful, controlled arrest. Ignoring the escape neglects duty to pursue a legitimate apprehension. Using force to stop flight regardless of safety can violate policy and law, and can create unnecessary harm.