If you face a violent threat, what should you do?

If you face a violent threat, what should you do?

• A. Continue with duties.
• B. Call for backup and police; de-escalate.
• C. Engage physically.
• D. Evacuate alone.

Answer: (B)

When there’s a violent threat, your priority is to keep yourself and others safe while getting professional help on scene and reducing the chance of escalation. Calling for backup and police brings trained responders, support equipment, and a higher level of control over the situation, which is essential when threats could turn violent. At the same time, attempting de-escalation—speaking calmly, giving the person space, using non-threatening language, and avoiding confrontation—helps reduce the immediate risk and can prevent violence from occurring in the first place. This combination lets you maintain a safer environment, follow established safety protocols, and coordinate a proper response.

Continuing with duties ignores the danger and can put you and bystanders at greater risk. Engaging physically significantly increases the chance of injury and could have legal ramifications. Evacuating alone may leave others behind or create a chaotic breakout, making the situation harder to resolve. The best approach is to seek professional help while using de-escalation and safe spacing to minimize harm and buy time for a proper response.