If a subject shows distress after a force incident, what is an appropriate action?

• A. Seek medical evaluation when necessary.
• B. Immediately resume normal duties without checks.
• C. Ignore signs of distress.
• D. Use more force if resisted.

Answer: (A)

When a subject shows distress after a force incident, health and safety must come first. Distress can signal injuries that aren’t immediately obvious—head or spinal injuries, chest pain, internal injuries, or a delayed reaction to stress. Getting a medical evaluation helps identify these issues and ensures the person is medically cleared before returning to duties. This approach protects the individual, the responder, and the agency, and aligns with proper post-incident care.

Rushing back to work without checks ignores potential injuries; ignoring distress misses warning signs that could worsen; and using more force while someone is distressed is dangerous and inappropriate.