In the event of a double feed, what is the first action an officer should take?

The most appropriate course of action when encountering a double feed is to clear the stoppage. A double feed occurs when two rounds are fed into the chamber simultaneously, preventing the firearm from functioning properly. The primary goal in this situation is to quickly and effectively return the weapon to operational status.

Clearing the stoppage involves a series of steps: the officer should first attempt to lock the slide back, remove the magazine, and then clear any rounds that are causing the blockage. This process is crucial for ensuring that the firearm can be safely and reliably fired again if needed.

If the officer were to change the magazine first, this could potentially complicate the situation, as a new magazine would not address the issue of the rounds already in the chamber. Unloading the firearm could leave the officer without a working weapon in a critical situation, and calling for backup, while important in certain contexts, would not resolve the immediate mechanical failure of the firearm.

By focusing on clearing the stoppage, the officer ensures they are taking the most efficient and effective action toward regaining control of their firearm during a potentially high-pressure situation.