Every intervention is different, even when the police officer is interacting with the same person. He can be called upon to intervene in a variety of situations ranging from a simple traffic stop to a high-risk event involving the use of firearms.
The following provides an overview of the types of situations where a police officer may be required to intervene.
This type of intervention is the most frequent. A police officer will carry out multiple traffic stops during his shift for a variety of reasons: violations of the Highway Safety Code, possible stolen vehicle, a driver under the influence, etc. While most traffic stops are low-risk, the officer must remain vigilant, since his job is among the most unpredictable.
When a non-emergency event requiring police intervention occurs, the officer will go out and meet with the citizen. He will listen to him, advise him and direct him based on his needs. In the event of a criminal act, the police officer will write up a report of the circumstances and call on support services if required.
When a call comes in for an ambulance and the person requires immediate assistance, police officers are dispatched at the same time as the ambulance. Police officers are the first responders on the territory. Their vehicle is equipped with a first aid kit, oxygen and a defibrillator. They are often the first on the scene of a call, and can start first aid and other measures, depending on the situation.
Police officers are often required to deal with individuals with mental health problems. These persons are often misunderstood and have specific needs that require the right type of intervention. The police officer is duty-bound to help defuse critical situations and direct these individuals and their family to the appropriate resources.
Interpersonal relations are not always easy, and at times, some people need help in communicating with each other. Whether it’s relations between neighbours, parents and children, or between students, police officers are sometimes called upon to settle disputes. The police officer then serves as a mediator, attempting to resolve the situation before it escalates into a criminal incident.
Police officers are dispatched in emergencies when the safety and/or life of individuals are at stake. It is the police officer’s job to put an end to any act of violence, control violent individuals, call on required resources (ambulances, firefighters, etc.) and attempt to find a solution to ensure that the situation does not recur.
These events present a high risk to the safety of citizens as well as to the police officers themselves. Incidents involving firearms, hostages, barricaded individuals are among the situations where police officers are required to intervene. The priority for the officers is to resolve these situations in a peaceful manner, using all the means and resources at their disposal.