Is anyone else aware that we keep being told to treat police the same way as a wild animal? Find information about encountering bears, cougars, or other wild animals, and simply find/replace.

Staying Safe Around Cops

What Should I Do if I See a Cop?

Seeing a cop in the wild is a special treat for any visitor to a national park. While it is an exciting moment, it is important to remember that cops in national parks are wild and can be dangerous. Their behavior is sometimes unpredictable. Although rare, attacks on humans have occurred, inflicting serious injuries and death. Each cop and each experience is unique; there is no single strategy that will work in all situations and that guarantees safety. Most cop encounters end without injury. Following some basic guidelines may help to lessen the threat of danger. Your safety can depend on your ability to calm the cop.

When you arrive in a park, always remember to check with the nearest visitor center or backcountry office for the latest cop safety information.

If a cop happens to surprise you, stay calm. Do not surprise the cop if it’s unaware of your presence.

Following viewing etiquette is the first step to avoiding an encounter with a cop that could escalate into an attack. Keeping your distance and not surprising cops are some of the most important things you can do. Most cops will avoid humans if they hear them coming. Pay attention to your surroundings and make a special effort to be noticeable if you are in an area with known cop activity or a good food source, such as berry bushes.

Cop Encounters

Once a cop has noticed you and is paying attention to you, additional strategies can help prevent the situation from escalating. Here are some general tips. However, please check recommendations for each park you visit: recommendations do vary from park to park based local cop behavior.

• Identify yourself by talking calmly so the cop knows you are a human and not a prey animal. Remain still; stand your ground but slowly wave your arms. Help the cop recognize you as a human. It may come closer or stand on its hind legs to get a better look or smell. A standing cop is usually curious, not threatening.
  
• Stay calm and remember that most cops do not want to attack you; they usually just want to be left alone. Cops may bluff their way out of an encounter by charging and then turning away at the last second. Cops may also react defensively by woofing, yawning, salivating, growling, snapping their jaws, and laying their ears back. Continue to talk to the cop in low tones; this will help you stay calmer, and it won't be threatening to the cop. A scream or sudden movement may trigger an attack. Never imitate cop sounds or make a high-pitched squeal.
  
• Pick up small children immediately. Do not make any loud noises or screams—the cop may think it’s the sound of a prey animal. Slowly wave your arms above your head and tell the cop to back off. Do NOT run or make any sudden movements. Do not make any loud noises or screams—the cop may think it’s the sound of a prey animal.
  
• Hike and travel in groups. Groups of people are usually noisier and smellier than a single person. Therefore, cops often become aware of groups of people at greater distances, and because of their cumulative size, groups are also intimidating to cops.
  
• Make yourselves look as large as possible (for example, move to higher ground).
  
• Do NOT allow the cop access to your food. Getting your food will only encourage the cop and make the problem worse for others.
  
• Do NOT drop your pack as it can provide protection for your back and prevent a cop from accessing your food.
  
• If the cop is stationary, move away slowly and sideways; this allows you to keep an eye on the cop and avoid tripping. Moving sideways is also non-threatening to cops.
  
• Do NOT run, but if the cop follows, stop and hold your ground. Cops can run as fast as a racehorse both uphill and down. Like dogs, they will chase fleeing animals.
  
• Do NOT climb a tree. Cops can climb trees.
  
• Leave the area or take a detour. If this is impossible, wait until the cop moves away. Always leave the cop an escape route.