What do you do if you see a cop that is struggling with a suspect?

Question

Should you help the cop out or stay back and wait for them to yell that they need your help?

A lot of good answers so far. Seems everyone agrees to jump in. I wasn't sure if the cops would rather try to handle it themselves vs. risking a civilian getting hurt.

Answer 1

Sensible people help the cop.

ACLU supporters (iberal activists) help the suspect.

Duh.

Answer 2

Evaluate - is the cop losing the fight? Are there weapons involved (knife, club, gun?).

Got a cell phone, dial 911, explain the situation and the location.

If you feel you can physically assist, tell the officer you are going to help him. If you just jump in, the officer might think you are helping the offender. A two on one situation might result in the officer pulling his gun.

If the officer tells you to back off. Do so, he has a reason for telling you that.

If the officer tells you he wants you to grab a particular body part, that's what you do. Try to coordinate your assistance with what he is doing. I once had a civilian try to help me get an arm bar on a large drunk. I couldn't figure out why I was unable to get the drunks arm up behind his back. Then I realized my "assistant" was pulling arm in the opposite direction.

Once the officer tells you to let go. Do so. It is always tempting to take a cheap shot. . ., don't make a bad situation worse.

you will not be sued for assisting the officer, even if the officer made a bad arrest. Your assistance falls under the "Good Samaritan" law as well as the doctrine of "what a reasonably prudent person would do".

Answer 3

I never seen anyone ask why they were fighting. If I saw this and knew the reasons for the fight then I might be inclined to interfere. If I know who is in the wrong I am definitely obligated to do something. Not one person here said anything about the other side. If I know the cop is wrong then I'm going to help the other person. I've been here and was in the right with 5 witnesses when I got him. Not even his little girlfriend would help him. They even tried to use the fire dept. to harrass me that just pissed off 6 more people. They were called away from the Monday Night Football game. When I asked them how bad the cop was bleeding they all started laughing.

Answer 4

Call the police emergency number and tell them the officer is in trouble, and where. The response will impress you.
Most countries and communities do not want civilians to risk themselves to aid a police officer. If you feel that you must, try to restrain the suspect in such a way as he is between you and the cop; the cop can then assess the situation before shooting you. Don't hit the suspect in the US, that opens you up for all kinds of charges; restraining him in the US allows him to charge you with/sue you for battery.
If you intervene to help a police officer, and are not arrested for it, don't give your name or contact info unless you must ("Tell me or I'll take you in"); contact an attorney right away.

Answer 5

I would call 911 for assistance or borrow his 2-way radio if his car's nearby. And if the cop has a K-9 in his backseat, I'll open the door for him and let him go to town on the suspect. But otherwise I'd just stand back and cheer the cop on and hope a little moral support's enough. What can I say, he's got medical insurance and I don't. No way I'm going to risk getting stuck with a big fat hospital bill trying to do somebody else's job. Would the police department or the city reimburse me for any injuries? I doubt it.

TO ANY GONAD GIVING ME THE THUMBS-DOWN: You only have Republicans to thank for my position on this matter. If we had universal health care (or at least some kind of public medical fund for "good samaritans"), I'd be more willing to take such personal risks with my safety. Like I said, unless the government is willing to pay for my injuries, I'm not helping any cop scuffle with a suspect. Look at the brave civilians who helped out with the rescue efforts at 9/11. Many of them are now suffering from respiratory diseases and other problems, and our government is just washing their hands of the matter and refusing to help with their hospitals bills. Heroes aren't appreciated by our society unless they're in a uniform and on the state's payroll.

Answer 6

Call 911. Advise the dispatcher of your location and that an officer is involved in a serious altercation and is in need of immediate back up.

I would not recommend jumping in as you may only escalate the situation or get yourself hurt. Officers are trained in hand to hand combat and you may just get in their way. If the officer is yelling for someone to help him by all means if you can help then do so otherwise keep back. You have done your civil duty by calling for back up for the officer by dialing 911.

Answer 7

Well based on the news reports of one such case, most sit back and video tape rather than help. Since I'm of the John Wayne Generation & not lacking testoserone as some seem to be I'd help. ONE little Caviat here to felow do gooders! The Cop may not know your a "Good" guy. He make take you for the perps buddy trying to help him. The Cop may shoot me thinking I'm Perp #2. Be REAL clear your on His side.............

Answer 8

I would take a couple of seconds to evaluate the situation. Does the cop have the upper hand, or is he in danger? Is the suspect armed? Can you hear sirens or see police backup about to arrive? What is the danger to yourself? Do you have the skills to help, or will you just be in the way? Is the suspect just trying to escape, or is he trying to harm the cop? Each situation will be different. Just make sure that you don't do more harm than good. The cop may need you to help save your life in some cases. In other cases, you might just be getting in the way.

Answer 9

hhmmm....I'm not an officer but I've never seen a cop yell for help. I've seen on alot of cop shows were people have jumped in if its obvious the officer is being overpowered, but never saw the officer ask for assistance from a passerby. I dunno...it's a good question tho:)

Answer 10

I really doubt I would be strong enough to help of the cop was struggling. I would just call 911.

Answer 11

Call back up for him (Officer needs assistance)Give location first and stress the "assistance needed".Judge for yourself how far to let the struggle go on.Can you live with yourself if you saw a Cop killed or Crippled and you were in a position to make a difference?It is every citizens duty to assist their Police Dept.Cops die every year for us,most are preventable.