ABSTRACT
The pre-emptive response to an attack is meant to intercept the attack. Just as the name implies, the officer is pre-emptive in dealing with the attack. Observation and understanding play a key role in directing the actions of the officers, as they must perceive the threat, understand that it is a threat, and then launch a response before the attack can be carried out successfully. So, the officer observes the indications that an attack is about to happen, say, for example, the fists clenching and unclenching, target glance, and perhaps a test aggressive step toward the officer; all are the indicators
that the person before the officer is going to use violence, and yet, an attack has not yet been launched. The officer must keep a keen eye out for the movement that does signal the initiation of an attack, and then, the officer responds by going on the offensive. This is a high-energy type of response to an attack, because the officer is observant and understands the body gestures and mannerisms of the person in front of him. The response then is to take the fight to the suspect. This is what many police defensive tactics techniques are designed for.
