The police must act according to a protocol.
A review of the etymology of the term protocol takes us immediately to protocollum , a Latin word. This, in turn, derives from a concept of the Greek language . Specifically, it emanates from the Greek word "protokollon", which is the result of the sum of two different elements: "protos", which can be translated as "first", and "kollea", which is synonymous with "glue" or "glue". ».
The concrete thing is that, in our language, a protocol is a regulation or a series of instructions that are established by tradition or by agreement.
Protocol as a guide to action
Starting from this meaning, it is possible to use the notion in different contexts. A protocol can be a document or regulation that establishes how to act in certain procedures. In this way, it compiles behaviors, actions and techniques that are considered appropriate in certain situations.
It can be said, in this sense, that the security forces have an action protocol when a hostage situation occurs. Said protocol establishes that the obligation of the police and the rest of the forces is to guarantee the integrity of the hostages, for which the protocol regulates the use of firearms (which can only be used in life-threatening situations by a hostage), mentions how the negotiation with the kidnappers should be developed, etc. If any member of a security force acts without respecting said protocol, they may be punished.
The social norms that must be respected in certain areas are known as protocols.
Norms of social behavior
Protocol, on the other hand, is known as the rules that define appropriate behavior in a social event of a certain formality. The protocol, in this way, is associated with what is known as etiquette: dressing in a certain way, respecting punctuality, greeting an authority with a bow, and other issues are part of the protocol.
For example, this protocol establishes a series of rules when attending a wedding as a guest:
-Women should wear a short dress to morning weddings and a long dress to afternoon or evening weddings.
-You should never dress only in black or completely white.
-The fewer accessories the better.
-At night weddings you should never wear a headdress.
-Men can never wear a black tie and bow ties, even though they have become fashionable, should never be worn with a suit because it only complements the tuxedo.
Protocol at a wedding banquet
In the same way, there is also a very specific protocol regarding the wedding banquet tables:
-Only the bride and groom and the godparents, as well as the other parents of the couple, should be at the presidential table. That is, a maximum of six people.
-The tables closest to the presidential table are where the most important people for the couple sit, such as brothers, grandparents, uncles or cousins as well as friends.
-If there are many children invited, they should all sit together at a table to enjoy a children's menu.
-Each table should not have more than ten people.
-The most appropriate thing is to place round tables so that dialogue and interrelation between all diners is encouraged.
Other protocols are the agreements established by several States to modify a treaty and the sets of rules that different computer systems must respect in order to communicate with each other.