Report writing

Question 1

What is a law enforcement report?

Answer 1

Any written or electronic communication on a departmental form

Question 2

What are the elements of a law enforcement report?

Answer 2

Accurate info around the time of event; statements of others; reports serve as permanent records of events

Question 3

Operational reports

Answer 3

Most associated with patrol officer; use agency specific form

Question 4

Administrative report

Answer 4

Affect the administration of the department; ex. Personnel evaluation, budget reports, crime analysis

Question 5

When to write a report

Answer 5

When department policy prescribes; when police action is taken; when a statute requires documentation

Question 6

What are the components of a good report?

Answer 6

Factual; clear; complete; concise; impartial; transitional words; cardinal rule

Question 7

What is the cardinal rule in report writing?

Answer 7

Report should be self explanatory and in chronological order!!!

Question 8

What are the steps of successful report writing?

Answer 8

Organize; revise for clarity; write in 1st person; write in chronological order; proofread

Question 9

Why is it important to take good field notes?

Answer 9

They serve as a precursor for incident reports; serve as memory and investigative aids;

Question 10

What are the elements of a report writing checklist

Answer 10

Pre-lim information; statement; scene investigation; disposition

Question 11

Incident report- page 1

Answer 11

Never use more than one page; if more space is needed then utilize supplementary or supplemental incident report

Question 12

Supplementary incident report; page 2

Answer 12

To be used if additional narrative space is needed; can be apart of the original report or used to add/change original report later;

Question 13

Supplemental incident report-page3

Answer 13

Referred to as overflow page for additional info such as victims, suspects, or witnesses