What is the recommended approach to securing an incident scene for a patrol cyclist?

• A. Move evidence and allow unrestricted access.
• B. Don’t physically secure the area; rely on others.
• C. Protect the area, control access, and preserve evidence or scene integrity as appropriate.
• D. Rely on hand signals alone and do not cordon.

Answer: (C)

Securing an incident scene is about preserving evidence and scene integrity while ensuring safety. As a patrol cyclist, your priority is to protect the area, establish a boundary, and control who accesses the scene so nothing is disturbed and investigators can later reconstruct what happened. This means setting up a visible perimeter, using barriers or markers as appropriate, directing traffic and bystanders away, and preventing unnecessary movement of objects or people. Preserve evidence by avoiding unnecessary touching or moving items, document changes, and coordinate with responding units while you maintain scene safety. A quick, ordered response like this helps ensure that the investigation remains reliable and that responders can work efficiently. Moving evidence or allowing unrestricted access would contaminate the scene; relying solely on others or on hand signals without a cordon is not enough to control entry or maintain integrity.