Spock, first officer of the ISS Enterprise in 2267
In the Imperial Starfleet, the first officer was the second-in-command of a starship. The position was usually held by an officer with the rank of commander or lieutenant commander.
First officer's had the following duties and functions:
- They were the principal adviser to the captain
- They implemented the captain's orders
- They were the commander of the vessel in the event of the captain's absence, incapacitation or death
- They were to lead assault team missions when the captain presence on the ship was vital
- They had orders to assassinate the captain in the event of his failing to follow Imperial orders
Some noted first officers in Starfleet history were: