NCJ Number
44077
Date Published
1978
Length
224 pages
Annotation
A DISCUSSION ON FORMAT, ROLE, AND CONTENT OF POLICE REPORTS, AS WELL AS THE ELEMENTS OF CRIME AND POLICE LANGUAGE USAGE AND DICTION, IS PRESENTED.
Abstract
MAJOR SECTIONS ON THE ARREST REPORT GUIDE THE POLICE OFFICER THROUGH HIS PRESENTATION OF AN OVERVIEW OF THE ENTIRE INCIDENT; SUPPLEMENTARY SECTIONS PROVIDE A METHOD FOR INTRODUCING DETAILS ESSENTIAL TO COMPLETING A REPORT, BUT NOT NECESSARY FOR THE IMMEDIATE GRASP OF AN INCIDENT. THE WRITING TASK IS SIMPLIFIED BY OUTLINING THE REPORT AND CONCENTRATING ON ONE SPECIFIC ELEMENT OF THE REPORT AT A TIME. EACH SECTION OF THE REPORT INCLUDES GUIDELINES AND MODELS. A DISCUSSION ON THE IMPORTANCE OF REPORTS IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND THE ACTUAL CONTENT OF REPORTS IS ALSO PRESENTED. THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN FACTS, INFERENCES, OPINIONS, AND JUDGMENTS ARE EXAMINED. CHAPTERS ON THE ELEMENTS OF CRIME AND POLICE DICTION AND USAGE ARE DESIGNED AS REFERENCE SECTIONS; THE LATTER DISCUSSES GRAMMAR, PUNCTUATION, AND SPELLING AND PROVIDES NUMEROUS EXERCISES.