When interacting with an illegally armed person, what is the first action an officer should take?

When interacting with an illegally armed person, the priority for an officer is to ensure their own safety and the safety of the public. Utilizing contact and cover is considered the first critical action in such a scenario. This strategic approach involves designating one officer as the contact officer, who engages the individual, while another officer provides cover to support and protect the contact officer from potential threats.

This method allows for better situational awareness and reduces the risk of escalation in a highly charged situation. The cover officer can monitor the surroundings, assess any additional threats, and be ready to assist if the situation becomes violent or if the armed individual attempts to flee or resist. Using contact and cover divides responsibilities effectively, leading to a safer interaction with the armed person.

While issuing commands like ordering the individual to the ground is important, it is most effective within the structure of contact and cover. Managing the scene alone increases the risk and can lead to dangerous outcomes if the situation escalates unexpectedly. Grabbing hold of the suspect's weapon is highly risky and should never be the first action taken, particularly given the inherent danger in proximity to an armed individual.