How should you approach a suspicious person or vehicle?

• A. Immediately confront and command compliance.
• B. Ignore the situation.
• C. Observe from a safe distance, avoid confrontation, announce presence, request information, and follow policy.
• D. Approach from behind to surprise them.

Answer: (C)

The main idea is to handle a suspicious person or vehicle with safety, restraint, and adherence to policy. Start by observing from a safe distance to assess factors such as demeanor, number, positioning, potential concealment, and any indicators of risk. This gives you information to decide your next steps without provoking a confrontation.

Avoid confrontation and do not surprise the subject. Maintaining distance and awareness helps prevent impulsive responses from either party and keeps you able to react calmly if the situation changes.

Announce your presence to establish authority and reduce misinterpretation. A clear, calm statement of who you are and that you are conducting a legal contact helps set boundaries and clarifies expectations.

Request information as a way to gauge purpose and intent—your identity, the reason for their presence, destination, and any relevant details. The responses provide essential context for determining whether further action is warranted and how to proceed safely.

Follow department policy throughout the encounter. This includes how you position yourself, whether to call for backup, how to use lighting or other techniques, and the proper steps for approaching, documenting, or disengaging. Following policy ensures consistency, legal defensibility, and officer safety.

This approach minimizes risk, supports a measured assessment, and preserves rights while enabling clear documentation. In contrast, ignoring the situation or approaching in a way that blindsides or surprises someone can escalate danger, and approaching from behind is unsafe and inconsistent with standard procedure.