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