IN02 Notebooks

Question 1

What to record in your notebook;

Answer 1

You should record the times you start and finish duty.

You should also enter details of whom you spoke to and what they told you.

Note- your notebook is a diary of times, dates, places, people and events.

Question 2

Writing information in your notebook is referred to as what?

Answer 2

“making a notebook entry”

Question 3

While on duty, when should you have your notebook?

Answer 3

At all times

Question 4

Shift details. You should head up your notebook at the start of each working day with the following;

Answer 4

• the date and time you started your shift
• your partner’s name
• your supervisor’s name
• the type of duty you are working; for example, late shift 1800-0200 hours
• your unit call sign
• the time of your line-up (start of shift briefing)

Question 5

A full record of your activities including a record of events and hours of duty may save you from?

Answer 5

Problems if allegations are made against you

Question 6

Why write notes?

Answer 6

• Investigative tool: Notes can be reviewed and compared, thus aiding you during an investigation. Your notebook entries can, with the consent of the Judge, be used while giving evidence in Court.
• Record of correspondence: Your notes can be used in a police file.

• Record of interview: During interviews with victims, witnesses or
offenders, you can use your notes as an interviewing aide. Take brief
notes (bullet points and quotes) only. Statements from witnesses and
victims will generally be recorded as a witness statement on a separate document.

Question 7

What are the basic details you should obtain from anybody you speak to in the course of your inquiries?

Answer 7

1 Full name

2 Full residential address & phone no
Cell phone
E-mail
Social Media contact

3 Occupation

4 Name, address, phone no of employment

5 Date of birth and age

Question 8

How can you verify details?

Answer 8

By some form of identification that includes a photo, such as a driver licence

You can also query the person in OnDuty and view any photographs held by Police (prisoner photos) or

NZTA (driver licence photos).

Question 9

Why would we verify offender/ suspect details?

Answer 9

You verify the particulars given by the offender/suspect when you have reason to doubt their accuracy

Question 10

How should one’s name be written in your notebook?

Answer 10

It is preferable and usual practice to put the surname first, in capitals; for example, SMITH/James/Michael/Daniel

Question 11

What are some other useful details to include in addition to basic details?

Answer 11

• sex, ethnicity, and place of birth of people you have spoken to
  • their clothing
  • a description of any facial hair
  • their hair length and colour
  • any other prominent features such as scars, marks and tattoos
  • circumstances of identification, i.e. lighting, distance, weather, etc.
  • their mental/physical condition, and, if relevant, note whether the person appears angry or intoxicated, and whether they are shaking or disorientated for example

Question 12

Additional details may be of assistance for what prupose?

Answer 12

• prove the reliability of the identification.
• assist if the offender’s appearance has changed between the time of the incident and their appearance in Court.
• identify an offender who initially appeared to be a witness

Question 13

What are the notebook rules?

Answer 13

• carry your notebook at all times when on duty
• be methodical, neat and use it consistently
• produce it for inspection when required by a supervisor
• keep completed books for at least two years after the date of the last entry. (should consider retaining indefinitely notebooks that contain information about important cases or ongoing inquiries)

Question 14

When you use your notebook, you must make sure to have no;

Answer 14

LEGO

Have no;
Leaves torn out

Erasures

Gaps (inconsistent)

Overwriting

Question 15

The margin is only to be used only for?

Answer 15

date and time entries