NCJ Number
15357
Editor(s)
V A LEONARD
Date Published
1974
Length
341 pages
Annotation
A REVIEW OF THE MECHANICS OF REPORT WRITING INCLUDING GRAMMAR AND USAGE, AS WELL AS SPECIFIC REPORTING FUNCTIONS.
Abstract
BASIC POLICE REPORT WRITING IS AN EFFORT TO PROMOTE THE IDEA THAT IN SUBMITTING SUPERIOR REPORTS, THE PRACTICING POLICE OFFICER OR STUDENT IS NOT ONLY PERFORMING PROFESSIONALLY FOR HIS DEPARTMENT, BUT IS ALSO CONTRIBUTING TO HIS OWN PROFESSIONAL GROWTH. THE INTRODUCTION IS DESIGNED TO ACQUAINT THE READER WITH THE PURPOSES, VALUES, AND PRINCIPLES INVOLVED IN THE PREPARATION OF REPORTS. PART II IS A GUIDE TO IMPROVE DICTION, SPELLING, CAPITALIZATION, ABBREVIATIONS, SENTENCE STRUCTURE, PUNCTUATION AND PARAGRAPHING BECAUSE IT IS INABILITY IN RELATION TO THESE MECHANICAL ASPECTS THAT THE AVERAGE POLICE REPORT OFTEN FALLS SHORT OF THE IDEAL. THE THIRD PART DEALS WITH FORM PREPARATION. THE FORMS UTILIZED ARE THE RESULTS OF STUDY OF MANY IN CURRENT USE AND ARE THOSE DEVELOPED WITH A VIEW TO EMPHASIZING THE DESIRABILITY OF NARRATIVE PRESENTATIONS. BEGINNING WITH FIELD NOTE TAKING AS THE FOUNDATION OF OPERATIONAL REPORTS, THE READER IS TAKEN THROUGH THE ENTIRE PROCESS FROM THE RECORDING OF A REPORTED INCIDENT TO THE MANY SPECIALIZED FORMS USED IN REPORTING INVESTIGATIONS, ARRESTS AND THE IDENTIFICATION OF PERSONS AND PROPERTY. THE FIRST APPENDIX CONTAINS COPIES OF CALIFORNIA COMPLAINT FORMS, A TRAFFIC COLLISION REPORT AND A VEHICLE REPORT. ALSO APPENDED ARE THE FBI'S SCHEME FOR THE UNIFORM CLASSIFICATION OF CRIMES (A LIST OF 50 DIFFERENT CRIMES WITH SUBDIVISIONS) AND A SUPPLEMENTARY LIST OF FREQUENTLY MISSPELLED NOUNS THAT ARE USED IN REPORT WRITING. THE BIBLIOGRAPHY CONTAINS GENERAL REFERENCE MATERIAL AS WELL AS WORKS DEALING WITH SPECIFIC TYPES OF REPORT WRITING. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED) (SNI ABSTRACT)