Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary purpose of an internal report?
What is the primary purpose of an internal report?
- To document arrests and present information to prosecutors.
- To document traffic violations and collisions.
- To establish probable cause for juvenile charges.
- To record additional information relating to incidents in initial reports. (correct)
Which type of report documents vehicular collisions?
Which type of report documents vehicular collisions?
- Arrest Report
- Property Record
- Internal Report
- Traffic Crash Report (correct)
What must an arrest report establish to charge a suspect?
What must an arrest report establish to charge a suspect?
- A lack of eyewitness accounts.
- The exact location of the crime.
- The suspect's prior criminal history.
- Probable cause for the charges. (correct)
Which statement is true regarding property records?
Which statement is true regarding property records?
Why is proper spelling and grammar important in report writing?
Why is proper spelling and grammar important in report writing?
What is a key consideration when choosing vocabulary for a specific audience?
What is a key consideration when choosing vocabulary for a specific audience?
What is an important aspect of sentence structure in effective writing?
What is an important aspect of sentence structure in effective writing?
What contributes to the smooth flow between sentences in a paragraph?
What contributes to the smooth flow between sentences in a paragraph?
When writing comparisons in sentences, what is a critical practice?
When writing comparisons in sentences, what is a critical practice?
What should be considered regarding verb tense in complex sentences?
What should be considered regarding verb tense in complex sentences?
What should members indicate when writing subsequent reports after viewing BWC footage?
What should members indicate when writing subsequent reports after viewing BWC footage?
Which type of information must be included in the public narrative portion of a report?
Which type of information must be included in the public narrative portion of a report?
Which statement about arrest reports and juvenile delinquency reports is correct?
Which statement about arrest reports and juvenile delinquency reports is correct?
What is the primary goal when writing clear and concise narratives?
What is the primary goal when writing clear and concise narratives?
What is the role of body-worn camera (BWC) footage in report writing?
What is the role of body-worn camera (BWC) footage in report writing?
What is the primary function of a police report?
What is the primary function of a police report?
What type of report is specifically referred to as an offense report?
What type of report is specifically referred to as an offense report?
Which statement reflects the importance of report writing for police officers?
Which statement reflects the importance of report writing for police officers?
What is a common internal use for police reports?
What is a common internal use for police reports?
What does attention to detail in report writing ensure?
What does attention to detail in report writing ensure?
How may police reports be accessed by stakeholders?
How may police reports be accessed by stakeholders?
Which of the following is NOT a type of report mentioned?
Which of the following is NOT a type of report mentioned?
What does the bulk of an officer's time spent on report writing involve?
What does the bulk of an officer's time spent on report writing involve?
Which type of word or phrase would you use to indicate a result?
Which type of word or phrase would you use to indicate a result?
What is the consequence of not completing your reports before checking off duty?
What is the consequence of not completing your reports before checking off duty?
What must initial reports provide to ensure proper follow-up by investigators?
What must initial reports provide to ensure proper follow-up by investigators?
Which transitional phrase refers to a future time?
Which transitional phrase refers to a future time?
What is NOT a requirement for MPD officers when completing reports?
What is NOT a requirement for MPD officers when completing reports?
Which transitional word would you use to provide an example?
Which transitional word would you use to provide an example?
What must all reported offenses describe according to the guidelines?
What must all reported offenses describe according to the guidelines?
Which type of words or phrases lead to more of the same idea?
Which type of words or phrases lead to more of the same idea?
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Study Notes
Report Writing Importance
- A well-written police report is essential for documenting events and crimes, providing information for the criminal justice process.
- Reports are used by courts, attorneys, companies, media, and the public.
Report Types
- Incident Report: Documenting an event, from minor loss to major crimes, often forming the basis of criminal cases.
- Administrative Report: Details minor events, like property damage or equipment loss, justifying agency actions.
- Internal Report: Used to add information to initial reports, such as canvass results or additional witness accounts, may change report classification.
- Arrest Report: Documents arrests, providing information for charging suspects, including juveniles.
- Traffic Crash Report: Documents vehicular collisions in Washington, DC.
- Property Record (PD 81): Records property taken by MPD, including evidence, recovered stolen vehicles, and found belongings.
Effective Report Writing
- Vocabulary:
- Use clear, simple terminology for easy understanding.
- Employ vocabulary common to the subject matter (e.g., suspect, stolen, property in theft reports).
- Sentence Structure:
- Use introductory phrases and vary sentence length for emphasis.
- Ensure parallel verb tenses and consistent verb forms in complex sentences.
- Avoid repetition of articles (a, an, the) in lists.
- Maintain similar forms in comparisons.
- Transitions:
- Ensure sentences flow smoothly.
- Use transition words and phrases to link paragraphs and logically order sections.
Department Policy on Report Taking
- All reported offenses and specified incidents necessitate report completion.
- Reports are generated from calls for service or self-initiated responses.
- Follow-up actions must be documented.
- Reports must be accurate and detail offenses based on relevant laws.
- Reports are completed before officers check off duty.
- Initial reports are written for calls for service and document events.
- Body Worn Camera (BWC) footage may be viewed after initial report completion and for subsequent reports, specific activities, and investigations.
Report Types: Internal and External
- Public narrative portions of reports are accessible to everyone.
- Sensitive information should be contained within the internal narrative.
- Arrest reports and juvenile delinquency reports are not public documents.
- Personal information, including witness identities, is never included in the public narrative.
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