How is "critical incident" defined in law enforcement?

A "critical incident" in law enforcement is defined as a significant event that requires immediate response due to its potential impact on public safety, the severity of the situation, or the complexity of the circumstances involved. Such incidents often involve emergencies that demand rapid decision-making and coordinated action by law enforcement agencies. They typically include situations like hostage scenarios, armed confrontations, large-scale disasters, or situations with significant threats to public safety.

In contrast, routine calls for service, planned police operations, or investigations into crime scenes do not fall under the definition of a critical incident as they do not require the same level of immediate and urgent response that characterizes incidents deemed critical. A critical incident may involve various challenges that necessitate multi-agency collaboration, specialized resources, or crisis negotiation tactics, underscoring its significance in law enforcement contexts.