What should you do when dispatched to a 647A (suspicious person) call and do not see the suspect upon arrival?

When dispatched to a 647A call regarding a suspicious person, it's essential to prioritize a thorough check of the area for any signs of suspicious activity or individuals. The rationale behind this approach is that while you may not immediately see the suspect upon your arrival, they could still be nearby or have moved away from the initial location.

Conducting a check of the area allows you to investigate any potential leads that may have arisen since the report was made. This proactive response demonstrates diligence in ensuring public safety and could lead to a timely resolution of the situation. Additionally, it provides an opportunity to collect valuable information that may not be visible from a single vantage point.

In contrast, searching for the nearest building, calling for backup immediately, or ignoring the call altogether would not effectively address the situation. Focusing solely on a nearby building may limit your scope and miss other possible locations of interest, while calling for backup without observable danger could be premature. Ignoring the call fails to fulfill your duty as an officer to ensure community safety and could potentially leave a genuine threat uninvestigated.