Which of the following is a method of incapacitation?

Incapacitation refers to methods used to render a subject unable to continue their aggressive behavior or activity, thereby enhancing the safety of officers and the public. Officer presence is considered a method of incapacitation because it entails a law enforcement officer's visible authority and readiness to intervene, which can often deter individuals from engaging in criminal or harmful actions. The mere presence of an officer can influence individuals to comply with the law and reduces the likelihood of conflicts escalating, effectively incapacitating potentially dangerous situations before they require further intervention.

Other choices, while they may serve to assist in law enforcement or conflict resolution, do not directly incapacitate a subject as effectively. Observation involves watching a situation to gather information but does not actively prevent a subject from engaging in harmful actions. Negotiation focuses on communication and conflict resolution, which may be an effective means to de-escalate a situation but does not incapacitate a person's abilities. Distraction can momentarily divert a person's attention but does not ensure that they are unable to act, therefore lacking the definitive incapacitation characteristic inherent in officer presence.