Question re: "threat" vs. "action"

[TruBlu]

What if anything can a police officer do if they hear someone threaten another person vs. seeing them carry it out?

[Kimble]

What if anything can a police officer do if they hear someone threaten another person vs. seeing them carry it out?

What kind of "threat" we talking about here? Telling someone "I'll kick your a$$" is a bit different than saying "I'm going to break into your house tonight and slit your throat."

[TruBlu]

More along the lines of "I'll kick your ***"...

[acreature]

On Duty with a cooperating victim equals on-view arrest.

[Cat_Doc]

What if anything can a police officer do if they hear someone threaten another person vs. seeing them carry it out?

Hear: Intervene to prevent violence in the spirit of public safety.

See: Intervene to prevent violence in the spirit of public saftey.

There is no duty for an officer to retreat or remain inactive in either scenario.

There is, however, a duty to prevent the assault and to intervene in physical assault.

[Legoate]

Every person who I have heard that was stupid enough to threaten someone directly in front of a cop was drunk- and hence, halfway on their way to jail already.

In CA language used to provoke a violent response is a public offense. And being both drunk, and obnoxious in public, is a sure trip to jail to sleep off that anger.

[scott715us]

Offensive/threatening behavior falls under our disorderly conduct statute in TN. It would probably hold more weight than an actual assault charge. The statement must put the victim in fear of bodily harm (at the time it's made) for an assault charge to stick. Domestic-related threats may be a separate issue.