Which CDM step focuses on legal powers and agency policy?

• A. Step 0 Pre Response
• B. Step 1 Collect Information
• C. Step 3 Consider Police Powers and Agency Policy
• D. Step 4 Identify options and determine best course of action

Answer: (C)

The key idea is that actions must be within what you’re legally allowed to do and what your agency policy requires. This step zeroes in on police powers and departmental rules, confirming what authority you have in the moment and what procedures you must follow. By checking these boundaries first, you ensure any actions you consider or take are lawful and policy-compliant, which is essential before you proceed to gather facts or evaluate possible courses of action. If you don’t establish these limits upfront, you risk actions that are outside legal authority or departmental policy, which can undermine safety and accountability. The other steps deal with collecting information or weighing options within those boundaries, while the pre-response phase is about preparation rather than on-scene authority checks.