Which type of subject is most frequently encountered by officers?

The most frequently encountered type of subject by officers is the potentially uncooperative subject. This category encompasses individuals who may initially comply with law enforcement but could change their behavior based on various factors such as environmental conditions, stress, or the presence of others.

Officers often face situations where individuals can appear cooperative at first, only to become non-compliant or hostile as the interaction progresses. This unpredictability requires officers to be alert and properly trained in defensive tactics to respond effectively if the situation escalates.

Although cooperative subjects are encountered, they represent a smaller fraction of the encounters, especially in high-stress situations where emotions may affect behavior. Similarly, totally uncooperative or unpredictable subjects present unique challenges but may not be as common compared to those who show ambivalence about their compliance. Recognizing that most individuals may not fall strictly into cooperative or uncooperative categories helps officers to prepare and respond appropriately to a wide range of scenarios, thereby enhancing their effectiveness in maintaining safety and order.