What scenario may lead to civil liability for police officers?

In the context of civil liability for police officers, failing to prevent harm while on duty is a significant scenario that may lead to liability. Police officers have a legal duty to protect individuals from harm, especially when they are aware of a potential threat or danger. If an officer neglects this duty and an individual is harmed as a result, the officer and, in some cases, the police department can face civil lawsuits for failing to act appropriately.

This expectation for police to prevent harm is grounded in the duty of care that officers owe to the public. For civil liability to be established, it often must be shown that the officer's inaction was unreasonable given the circumstances, and that their failure to act directly contributed to the harm suffered by an individual.

In contrast, the other scenarios, such as performing duties without supervision, using minimum necessary force, or engaging in good faith actions typically do not lead to liability, as they relate to acceptable practices within policing that align with expected standards and protocols.