What is the best way to investigate subjects on foot?

The best way to investigate subjects on foot involves directly approaching them while actively checking your hands and maintaining situational awareness. This method allows an officer to be in proximity to the subjects, which can facilitate immediate communication and observation.

By checking hands, an officer can assess whether the subjects might be holding weapons or any other items that could pose a threat. This awareness is critical for maintaining personal safety and ensuring that the situation is managed effectively. Being aware of the surroundings also allows the officer to take note of any potential hazards, escape routes, and the behavior of individuals nearby, which can provide valuable context to the investigation.

This hands-on approach stands in contrast to other methods listed, such as driving past slowly or conducting surveillance from a distance. While those options may offer some insight into a subject's behavior, they lack the immediacy and direct engagement that can be crucial in gathering information and assessing risks in real-time situations. Additionally, asking bystanders for information while keeping a distance does not provide the necessary interaction with the subjects but rather relies on third-party accounts, which can sometimes be unreliable or obscure vital information. Therefore, approaching on foot, checking hands, and being aware of surroundings is the most effective strategy in this context.