NCJ Number
57947
Date Published
1977
Length
103 pages
Annotation
THIS PRACTICAL GUIDE TO WRITING POLICE REPORTS IS DESIGNED TO TEACH OFFICERS BOTH BASIC WRITING SKILLS FOR CLEAR, CONCISE REPORTING AND TECHNIQUES FOR INTERROGATION AND INFORMATION SELECTION AND ASSEMBLY.
Abstract
THIS LESSON IN WRITING MECHANICS COVERS BASIC GRAMMAR SKILLS, USAGE, AND STYLE. THE PROCESS OF ASSEMBLING INFORMATION IS ALSO DETAILED, INCLUDING NOTE-TAKING TECHNIQUES, QUESTIONS TO BE ASKED DURING THE INVESTIGATION, AND APPROACHES TO USE IN TAKING STATEMENTS FROM WITNESSES. NOTES SHOULD COVER ALL PERTINENT INFORMATION WHILE REMAINING BRIEF AND CONCISE. IN ADDITION, A SEQUENCE OF EVENTS MUST BE ESTABLISHED BY UTILIZING INVESTIGATIVE TECHNIQUES. SIMPLY STATING A CONCLUSION WITHOUT OFFERING SUPPORTING EVIDENCE IS AN INEFFECTIVE MEANS OF RERORT WRITING. AFTER ALL FORMS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED AND THE NOTE-TAKING PROCESS ENDS, THE NARRATIVE REPORT MUST BE FILLED OUT. THIS INVOLVES USING VOCABULARY THAT IS PRECISE, OBJECTIVE AND ACCURATE. EXAMPLES AT VARIOUS NARRATIVES ARE INCLUDED. IT IS STRESSED THAT FANCIFUL DIALOGUE AND OPINION SHOULD BE DISCARDED FOR FACT AND A STYLE THAT IS IMMEDIATELY UNDERSTANDABLE. REVISING A REPORT IS OFTEN NECESSARY TO POLISH THE MATERIAL INTO A FINISHED PRODUCT THAT MEETS THE GOALS ESTABLISHED FOR IT. ACCURATE DESCRIPTIONS OF ITEMS OFTEN LOST OR STOLEN WILL HASTEN THE RECOVERY PROCESS, AND AN OUTLINE OF INFORMATION TO BE RECORDED FOR SUCH ITEMS IS PROVIDED. A LIST OF CLOTHING DESCRIPTIONS IS FURNISHED AS WELL. (WJR)