What should a peace officer do when witnessing an officer-involved shooting?

When a peace officer witnesses an officer-involved shooting, following departmental procedures to preserve the scene is of paramount importance. This involves securing the area to prevent contamination of evidence and ensuring that the integrity of the scene is maintained for subsequent investigations.

Preserving the scene is critical because it allows for a thorough and accurate investigation into the incident. Properly securing the area can help gather essential evidence that may include physical evidence, witness accounts, and other relevant information which can be crucial in understanding the circumstances surrounding the shooting. This process is vital for both legal accountability and the effective review of the event.

While it is important to check on the status of the injured party and assist those in need, these actions should ideally occur after the scene is secured to prevent further complications or evidence loss. Engaging the media at this stage could potentially interfere with ongoing investigations and is not a priority for the officer witnessing the event.