TexasCHLforum.com

In most departments on a patrol (Non-Tactical/SWAT) call for service you have a primary officer and cover/backup officer or officers.

The primary officer is "running" the call for service. The cover officer/officers are there primarily for officer safety in case there are multiple suspects or participants, not to take over the call for service unless the cover/backup is a supervisor (stripes on the arm) and that supervisor chooses to take command of the call. Some do, the good ones let the primary officer get the experience of running the call until completion or the primary consults the supervisor for direction on how to complete the call if a complex call.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr