What is the overarching goal of a DT officer during an incident?

• A. Ensure safety, preserve life, and de-escalate when possible.
• B. Secure the scene and place all individuals under arrest.
• C. Seek personal safety at the expense of public safety.
• D. Avoid communication to limit liability.

Answer: (A)

Protecting life and reducing harm through safety, preservation of life, and de-escalation is the guiding aim during any incident. In defensive tactics, the priority is the safety of everyone involved—bystanders, the subject, and officers—and resolving the situation with as little force as necessary. This means using verbal de-escalation, creating space, and giving time for a peaceful resolution, while only applying force when it is truly needed to prevent harm and is proportional to the threat.

Securing the scene and making an arrest may occur, but they are not the primary objective if doing so would compromise safety. Personal safety matters, but not at the expense of public safety. Communication is essential for de-escalation and control, not something to avoid.