your partner is observing the scene for danger. this is called the <u>Contact and cover</u>approach
When two patrol policemen come across a potential suspect, they adopt the contact and cover strategy. The contact officer speaks with the person, records the conversation, checks for warrants, etc. The entire transaction is handled by the contact officer. In comparison to the interview subject, the cover officer is in a better position. The cover cop stays out of the mundane parts of the conversation. Scene safety for the contact officer is the exclusive duty of the cover officer. When a threat materializes, like as when the subject starts to reach for a concealed weapon, etc., the cover officer simply steps in to stop it.
