A school-owned laptop has disappeared from Mrs. Barry’s classroom. The disappearance was noticed during lunch. What is the first duty of the school resource officer in this scenario?

The officer’s first step is to gather information from the person who noticed or reported the disappearance. Interviewing Mrs. Barry can clarify when the laptop was last seen and who may have had access to the classroom. Detaining students or searching backpacks without more information would be premature, and replacing the laptop is not the officer’s investigative duty.

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