How does the concept of "duty to intervene" apply to police use of force?

The concept of "duty to intervene" is a critical component of police use of force training and ethical policing standards. It asserts that when officers witness another officer using excessive or unreasonable force, they have not only the authority but also the obligation to intervene to prevent harm and uphold constitutional rights. This principle is rooted in the idea that all officers are accountable for their peers’ actions, particularly when those actions violate established policies or ethical standards.

Intervening in instances of excessive force contributes to transparency and integrity within law enforcement agencies. By doing so, officers help ensure that the force applied is justifiable, necessary, and proportional to the situation at hand, thereby maintaining public trust and protecting citizens' rights. This duty reinforces a culture of accountability within the police force, promoting the idea that every officer plays a role in safeguarding community welfare and officer conduct.

In contrast, merely reporting incidents to a supervisor without taking direct action does not fully address the immediate concerns of excessive force. Avoiding all confrontations is unrealistic and undermines the law enforcement role, which includes managing confrontations as part of ensuring public safety. Limiting intervention only to verbal altercations fails to acknowledge that excessive force can occur in various forms, not solely in verbal disagreements but in physical interactions