Report WritingReport Writing

Intro to Law Enforcement ROPIntro to Law Enforcement ROP

Instructor: G UppalInstructor: G Uppal

A. What is a Report?A. What is a Report?

Definition:Definition:

*A *A written documentwritten document, prepared by a , prepared by a

peace officerpeace officer that records, in detail, that that records, in detail, that officer’s officer’s observations and actionsobservations and actions, as , as they relate to a specific event or incident.they relate to a specific event or incident.

*What did the officer see? What did the *What did the officer see? What did the officer do? What was the officer told?officer do? What was the officer told?

*The officer *The officer collects Facts and statementscollects Facts and statements of of victims, witnesses, and suspects and compiles victims, witnesses, and suspects and compiles them together as a them together as a NUETRALNUETRAL party party

B.B. Why do Officer’s write Why do Officer’s write ReportsReports

1.To ensure 1.To ensure DUE PROCESS:DUE PROCESS: The officers, prosecutors, judges, The officers, prosecutors, judges, etc… must have sufficient information etc… must have sufficient information and evidence to initiate or continue and evidence to initiate or continue the judicial process and be able to the judicial process and be able to successfully prosecute or exonerate a successfully prosecute or exonerate a suspect.suspect.

* An officer’s report is very important to * An officer’s report is very important to the judicial process, each report must the judicial process, each report must be able to stand up to be able to stand up to critical reviewcritical review and and legal scrutiny.legal scrutiny.

2. Responsibility to Society.2. Responsibility to Society.* The officer and his/her action and * The officer and his/her action and decisions are subject to answer to decisions are subject to answer to society. society.

*The officer ‘s department also a *The officer ‘s department also a responsibility responsibility to society.to society.

**The officer will write the report to cover The officer will write the report to cover his/her actions and protect the citizens of his/her actions and protect the citizens of his/her jurisdiction as well as his/her self. his/her jurisdiction as well as his/her self.

C. Uses for ReportsC. Uses for Reports:: Assist with the identification, apprehension, Assist with the identification, apprehension,

and prosecution of criminals.and prosecution of criminals. Assists prosecutors, defense attorneys, and Assists prosecutors, defense attorneys, and

other law enforcement agencies.other law enforcement agencies. Provide a source of information for Provide a source of information for

evaluating an officer’s performance and evaluating an officer’s performance and ability.ability.

Aids in determining potential civil liability.Aids in determining potential civil liability. Assist officers prior to or during court Assist officers prior to or during court

appearances (refresh memory of incident).appearances (refresh memory of incident). Serves as reference materials and Serves as reference materials and

documents possible historical events.documents possible historical events.

D. Possible users and persons who D. Possible users and persons who may have access to your report.may have access to your report.

Immediate supervisors and Field Immediate supervisors and Field Training Officers.Training Officers.

Detectives/InvestigatorsDetectives/Investigators D.A. & Defense AttorneysD.A. & Defense Attorneys Insurance AgenciesInsurance Agencies Other Attorneys (Civil Rights)Other Attorneys (Civil Rights) Dep’t of CorrectionsDep’t of Corrections MediaMedia Other Law Enforcement agencies: State Other Law Enforcement agencies: State

& Federal & Federal