Who can be classified as a public officer?

A public officer is defined as someone who holds a position of authority within a government or public agency and is responsible for performing official duties. This means that a government employee who is executing their job functions within the scope of their employment qualifies as a public officer. The role typically involves managing public resources, enforcing laws, and making decisions that affect the community or the public at large.

In contrast, a private contractor, business owner, or independent consultant operates within the private sector and does not hold a position within the government. Their roles, while they may interact with public entities or contribute to public projects, do not confer the status of a public officer, as they are not directly accountable to the public or engaged in executing governmental authority.