To prevent continuation of criminal conduct, what must an officer establish?

To prevent the continuation of criminal conduct, an officer must establish probable cause to believe that a crime is occurring. Probable cause is a legal standard that requires sufficient evidence or reasonable grounds to believe that a crime has been committed, is being committed, or will be committed. This standard is crucial for an officer to take necessary actions, such as making an arrest or conducting a search, in order to prevent further criminal activity.

Without establishing probable cause, any action taken by the officer may violate individuals' rights and could lead to legal issues for the officer or their department. By having probable cause, an officer demonstrates that their actions are justified and are based on concrete evidence, which is essential for maintaining lawful procedures in policing.

The other options would not effectively serve to prevent ongoing criminal conduct. For example, demonstrating evidence of innocence would not motivate an officer to take action against criminal behavior. A high likelihood of fleeing might indicate that a suspect is aware of their wrongdoing, but does not provide the grounds necessary for intervention. Clear video evidence could be helpful, but without probable cause established beforehand, it would still not suffice for immediate action to prevent a crime in progress.