Wisconsin LE Academy Phase 2 Practice Exam

The principle of "duty to intervene" requires officers to take action if they witness excessive force being used by their peers. This ethical obligation is rooted in the understanding that law enforcement officers have a responsibility not only to uphold the law but also to protect individuals from unlawful actions perpetrated by other officers. Failing to intervene in such situations can result in accountability issues and erode public trust in law enforcement.

This principle emphasizes the importance of camaraderie and accountability within law enforcement agencies. Officers are expected to step up when they observe actions that are clearly inappropriate or violate departmental policies and the law, especially regarding the use of excessive force. Intervening can involve directly stopping the inappropriate behavior or reporting it to a supervisor, ensuring that there are checks in place against misconduct.

In this context, actions that would involve merely reporting misconduct after leaving the scene or maintaining a hands-off approach would not satisfy the requirement of this principle. Nor would it apply to intervening only in verbal disputes, which does not address the more serious concern of physical force being misused. The duty to intervene is specifically focused on situations where an officer must act to prevent harm or unlawful actions being taken against an individual.