1. Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.
A. "Critical incident" means a situation in which there is probable cause to believe that a person is holding a hostage while committing a crime or who is barricaded and resisting apprehension through the use or threatened use of force. [RR 1993, c. 1, §105 (COR).]
B. "Commanding law enforcement officer" means a law enforcement officer who has jurisdiction and is in charge at a critical incident. [RR 1993, c. 1, §105 (COR).]
C. "Law enforcement officer" means a person who by virtue of public employment is vested by law with a duty to maintain public order, to prosecute offenders and to make arrests for crimes. [RR 1993, c. 1, §105 (COR).]
2. Order. The commanding law enforcement officer at a critical incident may order a previously designated telephone utility security employee to arrange to cut, reroute or divert telephone lines for the purpose of preventing telephone communication by a suspected person with a person other than a law enforcement officer or a person authorized by a law enforcement officer.
3. Security employee designation. A telephone utility shall designate a security employee and an alternate security employee to provide required assistance to law enforcement officers involved in a critical incident.