What is officer override in law enforcement?

Officer override refers to the responsibility of secondary officers to intervene in situations where they observe a primary officer engaging in questionable conduct or using excessive force. This concept is rooted in the principle of accountability and is crucial for maintaining the integrity of law enforcement practices. It emphasizes the expectation that officers must act in the interest of public safety and ethical standards, and that they have a duty to prevent misconduct by their colleagues. By having this intervention expectation, it promotes a culture of collective responsibility among officers, ensuring that malpractices are addressed at the moment they occur.

Options focusing on bypassing procedures, probationary periods, or high-stress situation techniques do not align with the core idea of accountability among law enforcement officers, thus they do not accurately define officer override.