If you receive a positive hit from the National Denied Transaction File (NDTF), what action can you take?

When a positive hit is received from the National Denied Transaction File (NDTF), the appropriate course of action is to investigate further with no immediate action taken. This is because the NDTF contains information that indicates potential security risks or undesirable transactions, but a hit alone does not provide sufficient grounds for arrest or immediate action.

Engaging in further investigation allows law enforcement officers to gather more context and information related to the specific incident or individual associated with the hit. This is a crucial step in ensuring that any subsequent actions taken are justified and based on comprehensive information rather than an isolated alert. Proper protocol often requires verification of the information and understanding the reason for the hit before proceeding with any enforcement measures to avoid unnecessary legal complications or mistaken assumptions.

Other actions such as arresting based on just the hit, detaining for questioning without further context, or notifying a department head without prior investigation may not align with best practices in law enforcement and could potentially lead to violations of legal or departmental protocols.