MCOLES State Licensing Practice Exam

If you are present during a protest where a driver is being attacked, what would be your appropriate intervention?

1. Use verbal commands to disperse the crowd

2. Draw your service weapon to intimidate the crowd

3. Use a nightstick to defend the driver from the crowd

4. Call for more units before taking action

The correct answer is: Use a nightstick to defend the driver from the crowd

Intervening in a situation where a driver is being attacked requires a careful assessment of the circumstances and an appropriate use of force. Using a nightstick to defend the driver is justified in this context because it involves actively protecting an individual who is in immediate danger. The primary goal is to ensure the safety of the victim while maintaining control over the situation. Proportionate and reasonable force is acceptable, especially when defending someone from an imminent threat. When a person is in physical danger, law enforcement personnel are equipped to intervene decisively to prevent harm. Using a nightstick can be seen as a measured response to mitigate the threat without escalating the situation unnecessarily. In other scenarios, relying solely on verbal commands may not be effective in the face of an active assault. Drawing a service weapon can lead to increased tension and potential escalation, which may not be appropriate if other less-lethal methods of intervention are available. Similarly, while calling for more units may seem prudent, waiting for backup could delay critical assistance to the driver in immediate danger, making prompt action necessary in such situations.