What does "Out of service" signify for a unit?

• A. The unit is unavailable for calls due to transport, break, or maintenance.
• B. The unit is available for calls or on patrol.
• C. The unit is on a training exercise.
• D. The unit is in custody of a suspect.

Answer: (A)

Out of service means the unit is not available to handle new dispatches. Dispatch won’t assign them new calls because they’re occupied with something else—like transporting someone, taking a break, or undergoing maintenance on the vehicle or equipment. This status helps keep assignments clear so the unit isn’t overwhelmed with requests it can’t take.

If a unit is truly available for calls or actively patrolling, that’s considered in service or available. A training exercise would be a different status indicating they’re temporarily engaged in training rather than unavailable for dispatch. Being in custody of a suspect describes a scene or task they’re handling, not a general unavailable status, so it doesn’t automatically imply out of service.