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 means that each law enforcement agency establishes guidelines that outline the roles and responsibilities of officers in various situations. These policies are crafted to ensure consistency, safety, and effective communication among officers while responding to incidents.

Department policies provide a clear framework within which officers operate, helping them understand their specific duties and how they should interact with primary officers and other personnel involved. This consistency is crucial in high-pressure situations where clear roles can improve response effectiveness and minimize confusion.

While personal judgment, officer training, and override protocols can play important roles in particular situations, they do not establish the foundational duties of officers in the same way that formal department policies do. Personal judgment, for instance, can vary from officer to officer, and while training can equip officers with skills, it is the policies that provide the structure for their duties in a systematic manner.