NCJ Number
78331
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 50 Issue: 7 Dated: (July 1981) Pages: 6-9
Date Published
1981
Length
4 pages
Annotation
The use of an effective report writing manual for police officers will improve recording of data, reduce reinterview time, and enable officers to provide information and guidance to citizens with questions and problems.
Abstract
The nonuse of police manuals can be attributed to deficiencies in manual construction and design. The needs of those using the manual must first be determined in order to provide essential information in a useful form. Once a decision is reached to remodel an agency's report writing manual into a more efficient tool for the field officer, a formal project should be initiated to ensure orderly development of the new manual and promote user acceptance. Project organization includes planning, analysis of the present manual, design of the new manual, development/implementation, and monitoring/assessment. In addition, a budget should be prepared that includes the cost of printing the manual and purchasing tab dividers and binders. Important features for manual content include basic instructions on when and how to complete the appropriate crime reporting forms; standardized instructions for entering data on crime reporting forms; a list of approved abbreviations and commonly used words in law enforcement classifications; criteria for property valuation; and a separate reference section containing additional information helpful to the field officer, such as beat maps and telephone numbers. A sample work plan for the manual is provided.