What dictates the duties of secondary officers during an incident?

The duties of secondary officers during an incident are primarily dictated by department policy. This is because departmental policies are established to ensure consistency, safety, and clarity in response to incidents. They outline specific roles and responsibilities for each officer involved in a situation, which helps to create a coordinated response and minimizes confusion. By adhering to these policies, secondary officers can effectively contribute to the overall mission of the department while ensuring that procedures are followed to protect both themselves and the public.

Personal judgment, while important in certain situations, can lead to inconsistencies in response and may not align with the best practices established by the department. Officer training is crucial, but it is ultimately the department policies that provide the framework for how trained officers should apply their skills. Officer override protocols are designed to allow for flexibility in specific situations but still rely on the foundation of department policy to inform decision-making. Thus, the structured guidance provided by departmental policies is essential for maintaining an effective and efficient response during incidents.