What is the primary responsibility of the primary officer at a checkpoint?

The primary responsibility of the primary officer at a checkpoint is to question the occupants of vehicles. This involves asking questions to establish the identity of the individuals, their purpose for traveling, and their citizenship status. The primary officer uses these inquiries to assess for potential discrepancies or suspicious behavior that may indicate illegal activities, such as smuggling or unauthorized immigration. Engaging with the occupants effectively allows for a more informed decision on whether further inspection or additional follow-up is necessary.

While other duties at a checkpoint, such as providing backup, performing inspections, and controlling traffic flow, are critical to the overall operation and safety of the checkpoint, they do not represent the primary responsibility of the officer in this role. Instead, those activities may be delegated to other personnel or performed in conjunction with questioning, but the core task remains focused on engaging with individuals to gather necessary information and determine the next steps in the enforcement process.