Officers should prepare to write police reports by bringing writing materials to the scene, observing details, and taking thorough notes. Important information in a report includes what happened, statements from those involved, investigative actions taken, contact information, evidence handling, and legal details. When writing reports, officers should include specific details to establish probable cause, describe individuals, explain injuries and evidence handling. Effective interview tips are dealing with emotions first, providing privacy, asking for clarification, and using quotation marks for exact statements.

1. CRIMINAL JUSTICE REPORT
WRITING
THE HOW AND WHY
Part 3
Preparing to Write a Police
Report

2. How do you prepare to write a
report?
At the scene…
 have writing materials with you (a small
notebook in a pocket for emergencies is
a good idea)
 observe and remember
 record information promptly
 take thorough, readable notes

3. What information is important?
 what happened at the scene
 anything a suspect said, word-for-word
 anything you and other officers did
 contact information for witnesses
 investigations you carried out, even if
results were negative
 disposition of evidence and suspects

4. What else is important?
 Date, time, and location
 Serial numbers, makes, and models
 Victims, witnesses, and suspects
 Investigations and results
 Miranda rights
 Evidence
 Injuries

5. When do you need specific
details?
 establishing probable cause
 describing people at the scene
 listing injuries
 explaining how you secured the crime
scene
 providing a chain of custody for
evidence

6. What tips are helpful for interviews?
 deal with emotions first
 provide privacy if possible
 ask for explanations for words and
expressions you don’t understand
(slang, foreign languages)
 use quotation marks to record the exact
words spoken by a victim, witness, or
suspect
 remember that hearsay is permissible in
a police report

7. To Learn More:
Criminal Justice Report Writing is available in
softcover ($17.95) from www.Amazon.com and in a
variety of ebook and Apple formats (Kindle, Nook,
SONY etc.) for $11.99 from www.Smashwords.com.
Read a free sample online!

8. Find FREE report writing
resources online at
www.YourPoliceWrite.com