Require police officers to intervene when another officer is using excessive force
Many police departments already have a policy requiring officers to intervene when they see another officer using excessive force. A proposal in Congress would require all police departments to adopt such a duty-to-intervene policy as a condition of receiving federal funding.
Arguments For & Against
Pro Argument
When law enforcement officers use excessive force, in many cases there is another officer present. If we want to make sure that excessive force is not being used, one of the most effective things we can do is to make it a duty for officers to intervene. Officers should be expected to abide by the law just like everybody else, and their colleagues should be responsible for ensuring that they do. If the public sees officers holding each other accountable, this will increase confidence in the integrity of all police officers.
Con Argument
When officers use force, it is usually in dangerous and complex situations. Another officer who arrives on the scene may not know all the facts and cannot reliably determine if force is excessive in the moment. Requiring intervention could create dangerous confusion and hesitation.
Source document: PoliceReformQuaire0720.pdf
| Type | Organization | Date | Nat | Rep | Dem | Gap | Metric |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New PPC Survey (2026) | Program for Public Consultation | February 2026 | 88% | 88% | 91% | 3% | favor |
| Deliberative Survey | Program for Public Consultation | July 2020 | 82% | 71% | 94% | 23% | favor |
Program for Public Consultation — February 2026
Require police departments to make it a duty for officers to intervene when they perceive another officer is using excessive force. Also, provide officers with training for when and how to intervene.
Program for Public Consultation — July 2020
Require police departments to adopt a policy that makes it a duty for officers to intervene when they perceive another officer is using excessive force. Provide officers with training for when and how to intervene.
Related Policies
Prohibit the use of chokeholds
78% national support
Require police to wear body cameras and use them during interactions with suspects
90% national support
Require law enforcement agencies to submit information about officer misconduct to a national public database
89% national support
Provide funds to states to hire independent prosecutors in cases of police using deadly force
78% national support