Characteristics
Police reports are written in this POV
Provide an example statement using the correct POV
First Person
The formal written account of an incident, answers who, what, why, when, where, and how
Narrative
What is wrong with this statement? How should it be re-worded?
"“The suspect was arrested by me.”
It's in passive voice
"I arrested the suspect."
If an officer conducts a search, the report should explain the legal reason for it to avoid this issue
Evidence being thrown out in court; charges are dropped
What percent of an officer's job involves documentation and report writing?
The first sentence of a report should usually include the date, time, and ______________________.
Location
The legal standard requiring reasonable grounds to believe a crime occurred; also allows officers to search a suspect
Probable cause
What is wrong with this statement? How should it be fixed?
“Their was a vehicle parked illegally.”
Wrong homophone/spelling error
"There was a vehicle parked illegally."
At what point in a trial might an officer review their own report?
What is the police code for "I understand" or "I heard you" when communicating with dispatch and other officers
10-4
What does the acronym FACCCT stand for?
***You must name all characteristics for the points
Factual, Accurate, Clear, Concise, Complete, Timely
This constitutional amendment requires that officers have a warrant to seize your property.
The Fourth Amendment
What is the issue with this statement?
"I was told by dispatch that the suspect was fleeing on foot."
Name 5 people who might read an officer's report
Judge, prosecutor, defense attorney, victim, police chief, defendant, the public, the media, etc.
These standardized tests are used during DUI investigations
Field Sobriety Test
Name SIX pieces of information about a suspect that should be included in your field notes.
Name, height, weight, build, tattoos, distinguishing features, unusual gestures, left/right handed, hair color, eye color, clothing, piercings, scars, etc.
The term for documenting when evidence is moved from one person to another
Chain of custody
What is wrong with this statement? How should it be fixed?
"The suspect proceeded to freak out."
It's subjective- does not give information about observable, objective facts
"The suspect [threw his hands in the air; began yelling; started breathing heavily; charged at me, etc.]
Explain how a prosecutor and defense attorney may use your report differently.
A prosecutor will use your report as evidence against the defendant; an accurate report will help their case
A defense attorney will look for inconsistencies in your report to discredit you as a witness and drop their client's charges
This type of call may involve checking on someone's well-being rather than investigating a crime
A welfare check
Is it ever okay to include opinions or vulgar language in a police report? Why or why not?
YES --> if you are directly quoting an individual
Helps provide a factual and accurate account of events
The legal requirement that the prosecution prove the defendant’s guilt is called ________________________
Burden of proof
Identify every issue with this statement:
"While the oficers are patting him down, he runs. They chase him four several blocks because he supposedly stole a vehicle.
**There are at least 5
-Officers is spelled wrong
-In present tense
-In third-person
-Four vs for
-Not chronological order
How can biased language influence a police report?
Give 3 possible consequences
Removes an officer's credibility; can result in charges being dropped; evidence can be thrown out in court; etc
An officer detains someone briefly to investigate suspicious behavior. This must be supported by this lower legal standard than probable cause
Reasonable suspicion