What elements are included in a scene assessment prior to OC deployment?

• A. Wind direction and terrain only
• B. Bystander presence and weather
• C. Threat level, number of suspects, bystander presence, wind direction, terrain, potential hazards, and de-escalation opportunities
• D. Threat level and number of suspects only

Answer: (C)

A thorough scene assessment before deploying OC involves weighing multiple factors to guide a safe and effective decision. This means evaluating the threat level, estimating the number of suspects, recognizing bystander presence, checking wind direction to prevent OC blowback, examining terrain for positioning and retreat options, identifying potential hazards in the environment, and considering de-escalation opportunities to resolve the situation without force. When you look at all of these elements together, you have a complete picture to decide if deployment is appropriate and how to carry it out with the least risk. Partial checks that only consider wind and terrain, or only threat level and number of suspects, miss critical safety and control considerations.