What Would You Do?

WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

A number of years ago, a young police officer was taking his final exam for the police academy when he came upon the following question:

"You are on patrol in the outer city when an explosion occurs in a gas main in a nearby street. On investigation you find that a large hole has been blown in the footpath and there is an overturned van nearby. Inside the van there is a strong smell of alcohol. Both occupants--a man and a woman--are injured. You recognize the woman as the wife of your Chief of Police, who is at present away in another country.

"A passing motorist stops to offer you assistance, and you realize that he is a man who is wanted for armed robbery. Suddenly a man runs out of a nearby house, shouting that his wife is expecting a baby and that the shock of the explosion has made the birth imminent. Another man is crying for help, having been blown in the adjacent canal by the explosion, and he cannot swim.

Describe in a few words what actions you would take."

The young man thought for a moment, picked up his pen and wrote,

"I would take off my uniform and mingle with the crowd."