What should a PCT do if they receive information about a potential police officer-involved shooting?

When a Police Communications Technician (PCT) receives information about a potential police officer-involved shooting, the immediate course of action is to inform supervisors. This is crucial because such incidents require a rapid and coordinated response from command staff and law enforcement agencies. Notifying supervisors ensures that the appropriate protocols are activated, further investigations can be initiated, and resources can be allocated swiftly.

By informing supervisors, the PCT helps to facilitate an organized response, which is essential in managing the situation effectively. This includes a risk assessment, the potential mobilization of additional units, and communication with other essential personnel such as detectives or investigators in real-time as the situation unfolds. Moreover, swift notification is vital for ensuring accurate and timely public information dissemination, which helps maintain community trust during critical incidents.

Options like ignoring the information or merely documenting it without action could lead to delays that may exacerbate the situation. Furthermore, contacting the media prematurely could compromise the integrity of the investigation and misinformation could spread, which is detrimental to public safety and trust in law enforcement. Therefore, promptly informing supervisors is not just a procedural requirement but a critical component of effective crisis response.