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.

In effect, your notebook is a diary of times, dates, places, people and events.

Record details of your movements while on duty. A full record of your activities including a record of events and hours of duty may save you from problems if allegations are made against you.

Question 2

What should you detail in your notebook at the start of a shift?

Answer 2

• 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 3

Why write notes?

Answer 3

• 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.

When you attend an incident, you should record details about who you speak to, and what they tell you.

Question 4

What are a persons basic details that you should record?

Answer 4

1) Full name
2) Full residential address
3) Phone number/s
4) Email
5) Social media
6) Occupation
7) Employer (name, add, phone)
8) DOB and age.

Verify details as possible with ID or in OnDuty.

Question 5

What are the 8 notebook rules?

Answer 5

1) carry your notebook at all times when on duty
2) be methodical, neat and use it consistently
3) produce it for inspection when required by a supervisor
4) keep completed books for at least two years after the date of the last entry. However, you should consider retaining indefinitely notebooks that contain information about important cases or ongoing inquiries
5) do not tear out any leaves
6) do not erase anything
7) do not leave inconsistent gaps
8) do not overwrite (write on top of words).

Note: The margin is only to be used for date and time entries. You must not write any other information in the margin. Scene diagrams and labels are not permitted to extend into the margin.