Discuss with examples and detail, the responsibilities of the First Term Paper

Discuss with examples and detail, the responsibilities of the First Officer on the scene of a reported crime - Term Paper Example Introduction The primary call to a police officer regarding a crime scene usually comes in different forms: a crime that has already taken place and has just been discovered, a crime in progress, or a crime that just occurred. The way in which the officer responds depends on how he/she receives the call. For instance, he/she can proceed quickly and directly to the scene. When a law-enforcing officer receives a call to respond to a scene of crime, he/she must always follow a logical series of events in order to ascertain everyone’s safety as well as appropriate investigation of the incident. He or she must treat all responses to crime scenes the same way, with expectations that the case under investigation will proceed to trial and be subjected to the criminal justice system’s procedures and policies (Buckles, 2007 and Dale & Becker, 2007). Since a first responder acts in response to all sorts of crimes as well as possible crime scenes, he or she should always act under the assumption that the suspects are still in the crime scene or in its surroundings. Is it therefore critical for him/her to make keen observations on the way to the scene of crime – should be very alert and should constantly make mental notes. With the assumption that suspects may be fleeing from the crime scene, he/she should take note of suspicious vehicles details such as color, make, model and license plates, as well as pedestrians’ descriptions. Better still, he/she can record all these information on a tape, which can be transcribed later to act as leads for law officers as they follow up on a crime after the initial response (Dale & Becker, 2007). Upon arrival, the officer will make use of tactical measures of safely approaching the scene and looking for suspects, victims, and witnesses. Again, depending on the type of crime, the presupposition is that there is a suspect at the crime scene and that there may be victims requiring emergency care. It is therefore worthy emphasizing that the focus of the first officer on the scene of a reported crime is on his own safety as well as that of other individuals at the crime scene, including the victims, other officers taking care of the victims, and those pursuing/ looking for the suspect. It is also worth noting and emphasizing that how to approach a crime scene and what to do are vital as the first responding officer enters and examines the crime scene. What to examine and note include whether or not there is a suspect at the scene, whether or not there is a victim who is being held hostage or who needs emergency care and what safety issues or environmental conditions need to be dealt with (Buckles, 2007). The initial response to a crime is supposed to be expeditious and systematic. On arriving at a crime scene, the first responding officer/the first officer to arrive on the scene of a crime should perform his first responsibility of assessing the scene. It is important for him/her to approach and enter crime scenes as soon as possible, yet carefully, while at the same time exploring any potential events, evidence, vehicles, individuals as well as any environmental conditions that may be linked to the crime. He should keep a record of information such as the location /address of the crime, the exact date and time, the type of call that he/she received, and anything else that might have a bearing on the crime/the scene of crime. He or