Table of Contents
TOC o “1-3” h z u HYPERLINK l “_Toc406688560” Question 1 PAGEREF _Toc406688560 h 1
HYPERLINK l “_Toc406688561” Introduction PAGEREF _Toc406688561 h 1
HYPERLINK l “_Toc406688562” The Elements of a Police Report PAGEREF _Toc406688562 h 1
HYPERLINK l “_Toc406688563” Officer’s Identifying Information PAGEREF _Toc406688563 h 1
HYPERLINK l “_Toc406688564” Basic Factual and Contact Information PAGEREF _Toc406688564 h 1
HYPERLINK l “_Toc406688565” Location, Date and Time of the Incident PAGEREF _Toc406688565 h 1
HYPERLINK l “_Toc406688566” Narrative PAGEREF _Toc406688566 h 1
HYPERLINK l “_Toc406688567” Suspect Description PAGEREF _Toc406688567 h 2
HYPERLINK l “_Toc406688568” Standard Operating Procedures for Police Report Writing PAGEREF _Toc406688568 h 2
HYPERLINK l “_Toc406688569” Organize Your Information PAGEREF _Toc406688569 h 2
HYPERLINK l “_Toc406688570” Format Your Report PAGEREF _Toc406688570 h 2
HYPERLINK l “_Toc406688571” Use Plain Language PAGEREF _Toc406688571 h 3
HYPERLINK l “_Toc406688572” Benefits PAGEREF _Toc406688572 h 3
HYPERLINK l “_Toc406688573” Question 2 PAGEREF _Toc406688573 h 3
HYPERLINK l “_Toc406688574” Lead investigation PAGEREF _Toc406688574 h 3
HYPERLINK l “_Toc406688575” Main Functions PAGEREF _Toc406688575 h 3
HYPERLINK l “_Toc406688576” Skill and Abilities PAGEREF _Toc406688576 h 3
HYPERLINK l “_Toc406688577” Physical Requirements PAGEREF _Toc406688577 h 4
HYPERLINK l “_Toc406688578” Other Duties PAGEREF _Toc406688578 h 4
HYPERLINK l “_Toc406688579” Principle investigation PAGEREF _Toc406688579 h 4
HYPERLINK l “_Toc406688580” References PAGEREF _Toc406688580 h 6
Question 1Introduction
The police report is the first part of any investigation. A well-written, complete and accurate police report is an important piece of evidence for any future prosecution. Police reports are also often part of the public record and used to gather statistics and perform evaluations. For these reasons, a complete police report can be an invaluable resource.
The Elements of a Police ReportOfficer’s Identifying InformationThe police report should include the officer’s name, rank and the agency that dispatched her. For evidentiary purposes, it is important to carefully record who took the police report.
Basic Factual and Contact InformationThis part of the police report is generally fill-in-the-blank and used to document basic information about the incident and why the officer was called to the scene. It should include as much information as possible, including contact information for everyone involved in the incident.
Location, Date and Time of the IncidentAlthough this portion of the report may seem obvious, its accuracy is important. In a court of law, mistakes as to date, time and address can make the report inadmissible. If the incident took place at more than one location, the reports should document each location and corresponding time of location change carefully. The report should document the time frame of the event and the officer should be aware that victims and witnesses may have a distorted perception of the time frame. A timeline sketch may help in drafting the police report (Devery, 2010).
NarrativeThis is the “story” of the incident. If the other portions of the report are complete, the report does not need to repeat unnecessary information. Often a chronological account is most clear, but there are circumstances when a chronological approach may confuse the reader. The narrative should include the witness’s statements as well as what the officer witnessed personally.
Suspect DescriptionThe report should document the age, race, sex, hair color, eye color, weight, height and any notable features of the suspect. The police officer should ask witnesses detailed questions about the suspect to help them recall the suspect’s description accurately and completely.
Standard Operating Procedures for Police Report Writing
The most important part of police report writing is obtaining all of the facts. Generally, a police officer will first make contact with a person who has a complaint about a criminal legal issue, commonly referred to as the complainant. The complainant will most likely have the best, most accurate information about the incident. This is one of the most crucial parts of report writing because this is where the basis of the report starts. You will need to gather information such as names, dates of birth, race/sex, residence, place of occurrence, dates and times of occurrence, and facts about the incident. Also gather information from witnesses, especially uninterested third parties since they gain little to no benefit from providing you with accurate information.
Organize Your InformationAll information gathered for a police report must be organized chronologically. When you get to a scene and gather the information, write it down just as it happened. For example, you could start your report by writing, “At 10:15 AM on September 12, 2009, I responded to Joe’s Laundry House at 123 4th St. in reference to a complaint of a theft.” Here, you have just established the date, the time, the location and the reason why you are there. You could continue your synopsis by writing, “Upon my arrival, I met with Tim Johnson, white male, date of birth 01/02/2014, who stated that an unknown person had taken his $20.00 from his desk without his consent.” Continue your report by adding information that is pertinent to the case, such as what you observed at the crime scene and what any witnesses said.
Format Your ReportPolice reports should follow a basic format to ensure that all of the information that needs to be included, is included. The written portion of your report will need to incude the following:
Synopsis – what the complaint isCrime Scene – what you observed at the scene, to include what you might have recovered as evidenceWitnesses – what any witnesses saidCase Status – what you did to resolve the incident (arrest, forward to an investigative unit, and so on)
Use Plain LanguageWhen writing a report, keep it simple. Use plain language that everyone can understand. Remember, your colleagues at the department are not the only ones who will read your report. Police reports are read by attorneys for the prosecution and the defense, judges, the media and the public (Osterburg & Ward, 2010).
BenefitsThe best way to gain credibility as a police officer is to write a clear, concise, readable report that is factual and not opinionated. Follow this simple guideline and you should have little to no problems writing reports effectively.
Question 2Lead investigationLead investigation attempt to solve criminal acts through intelligent means. These investigators rely on criminal intelligence to influence law enforcement in the reduction and prevention of crime. Investigators present officers with intelligence briefings in presentations and reports gleaned from wire tappings, surveillance and other means (Palmiotto, 2012).
Main FunctionsLead investigation in criminal cases collect information from both witnesses and suspects. They comb the crime scene for potential clues, such as physical evidence, fingerprints, DNA and more. To document the scene they may take photos of the crime scene or rely on high-tech devices such as Leica scanners, which preserve the crime scene in a 3D render that captures every detail.
Skill and AbilitiesIt takes a certain set of abilities to accomplish the tasks of Lead investigation. To this end, they must be knowledgeable of federal, state and local laws concerning police operations, evidence custody and destruction and investigative procedures. They need knowledge of narcotics investigations, including surveillance and covert purchases. An understanding of information technology pertaining to criminal investigations is a must, as is the ability to report clearly in both oral and written reports.
Physical RequirementsInvestigators occasionally perform physically strenuous tasks, reinforcing the need for basic physical fitness. Lead investigation must be able to perform simple tasks, such as standing, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching and more. Further, they should be able to exert up to 100 pounds of force and pass an eye exam necessary to operate a patrol car and distinguish details in crime scenes, people and places.
Other DutiesOther duties the lead investigator performs include taking evidence, maintaining records, processing evidence and submitting evidence to courts. What’s more, they occasionally have to purchase supplies and materials needed for investigations, such as identifications equipment. Investigators also maintain the stock of supplies. The lead investigator may also serve as a patrol officer responding to calls when needed, or he may perform traffic and evacuation duties if necessary.
Principle investigationThe Principle investigation is central to administrative procedure. Pursuant to this principle, an administrative authority is required to establish the facts relevant to the matter – both favorable and unfavorable for the participants in the procedure, as well as those relating to the public interest – and, if necessary, collect evidence on its own initiative for such purpose. Public authorities are also obligated to act where facts relevant to the matter are not precisely known. Decisions made in procedures aimed at the prevention of unwanted events are by nature decisions based on probability. In such procedures, it cannot be expected that all relevant facts will be fully established or undeniably proved as they relate to events that may occur in the future and the occurrence of which can only be predicted. Administrative authorities have a wide margin of appreciation in the interpretation of undefined legal concepts and the evaluation of evidence. Consequently, implementation of the Principle investigation may vary significantly in different subject areas, depending on the nature, objectives and legal regulation of the area.
ReferencesDevery, C. (2010). Criminal profiling and criminal investigation. Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice, 26(4), 393-409.
Osterburg, J. W., & Ward, R. H. (2010). Criminal investigation: A method for reconstructing the past. Elsevier.
Palmiotto, M. J. (2012). Criminal investigation. CRC Press.
Winter, L. B. (2010). European Investigation Order for Obtaining Evidence in Criminal Proceedings. Zeitschrift für Internationale Strafrechtsdogmatik, 9, 580-589.
