When does an officer's designation as a peace officer apply?

The designation of an officer as a peace officer typically encompasses the authority they hold while performing their official duties. When on duty, peace officers are empowered to enforce laws, maintain public order, and engage in various enforcement actions that are not granted to civilians. This designation is integral to their role in law enforcement, as it provides them with the legal authority needed to act in accordance with their responsibilities.

In the context of training sessions, officers are preparing to perform their duties, but they do not hold the same authority or designation that they do when actively engaging in law enforcement tasks. The same applies to interactions with the public when they are not officially on duty, as their peace officer powers are generally not in effect outside their designated working hours or responsibilities. Therefore, the correct answer reflects the idea that an officer's formal role as a peace officer is tied specifically to being on duty, where they are fully authorized to perform law enforcement activities.