If a staff member reports harassment, what is the Sergeant's immediate duty?

• A. Dismiss the report if the staff member seems upset.
• B. Ensure safety, document the complaint, and route it through the agency's harassment/EEO procedures.
• C. Ignore and wait for HR to contact the staff member.
• D. Preserve the scene but delay action until a supervisor reviews.

Answer: (B)

When harassment is reported, the immediate duty is to ensure safety, document the complaint, and route it through the agency’s harassment/EEO procedures. This sequence protects the staff member from harm, begins an accurate record of what happened, and hands the matter to the proper formal process so it’s investigated promptly and confidentially. Dismissing the report because the staff member seems upset would trivialize a serious concern and undermine trust; ignoring it or waiting for HR to make contact delays protection and due process; delaying action to wait for a supervisor’s review postpones necessary safeguards and the start of an official investigation. Acting now in line with policy preserves safety, accountability, and the integrity of the process.