In terms of officer safety, the best practice during an encounter is to:

Choosing to maintain distance from the suspect is vital for ensuring officer safety during encounters. This practice allows officers to assess the situation without entering an immediate personal danger zone, giving them time to gauge the suspect's behavior and intentions. By keeping a safe distance, officers can also create space that may allow them to retreat if the situation escalates or to position themselves strategically.

This approach helps minimize the risk of surprise attacks or sudden movements that could lead to confrontations. Maintaining distance can be especially beneficial in volatile situations where the suspect's behavior may not be predictable.

While backup support and other strategies like approaching a vehicle from the rear can enhance safety, the principle of maintaining distance is a fundamental tactical practice that should always be employed first and foremost. Thus, prioritizing distance effectively supports officer safety in a wide range of scenarios.