If an officer is not on duty, what term is used?

The term "out of service" is commonly used to describe when an officer is not on duty. This terminology is crucial in law enforcement and communicates that the officer is not actively available to respond to calls, perform law enforcement duties, or assist the public. It indicates that the officer may be off-duty for various reasons, such as taking a break, being unavailable for calls, or engaging in personal activities unrelated to their job.

Using the term "out of service" helps to maintain clarity and structure within a law enforcement context, as it differentiates between officers who are actively engaged in their duties and those who are not. This distinction is essential for operational efficiency and coordination among law enforcement personnel and dispatch.

The other terms, while they might convey similar ideas in some contexts, do not have the standardized usage and recognition that "out of service" has in the field of policing. For instance, "in service" indicates that an officer is working, while terms like "busy" or "receiving poorly" are vague and do not appropriately reflect the status of an officer not on duty.