What it means
Police and other law-enforcement agencies have legal powers and duties that vary by jurisdiction. Their work can include patrol, investigation, arrest, traffic enforcement, and emergency response. Those functions are one part of public safety. Prevention, crisis care, victim support, and recovery also depend on other institutions and community partners.
ICM field application · illustrative
See how this idea helps with a decision
Here is an example to work through. The linked source explains the idea or guest account. The next move is ICM guidance.
- Where it shows up
- A safety plan assumes one agency will handle prevention, crisis response, investigation, and long-term recovery.
- A useful move
- List each function separately and assign the legal authority, capacity, and community partner needed for it. Specify where a call moves when police are not the right lead.
- What this does not prove
- Agency powers and duties vary by jurisdiction; this ICM systems definition does not prescribe a legal response to a particular call.
Follow the question
From this idea to a local decision
Use the part you need next. A guest’s account, research finding, local pattern, and implementation plan answer different questions.