Final answer:
A case officer is an intelligence officer employed by organizations to collect, compile, and analyze information.
Step-by-step explanation:
A case officer is not best described as a "spy" or an "asset." A case officer is actually an intelligence officer, who is employed by organizations such as armed forces, police, civilian intelligence agencies, and customs agencies. Their role is to collect, compile, and analyze information known as intelligence, which is of use to the organization.