What should an officer do if a citizen becomes verbally abusive or threatens physical violence?

When dealing with a citizen who is verbally abusive or threatens physical violence, calling for law-enforcement assistance is the appropriate and safest course of action. Law enforcement professionals are trained to manage situations that involve threats or potential violence, ensuring the safety of both the officer and the citizen involved. Their intervention can de-escalate the situation more effectively, as they are equipped to handle such confrontations in a manner that minimizes risk.

Other options, while they might seem reasonable in different contexts, do not adequately address the immediate threat posed by the situation. Attempting to resolve a citizen's complaint personally could escalate the conflict further and place the officer at risk. Referring the citizen to a person better suited to assist does not ensure immediate safety and might only prolong the confrontation. Assigning the complaint to the fire chief would also be inappropriate, as it does not directly address the urgent need for security and support from trained law enforcement personnel.