This document emphasizes the importance of 'probable cause' in law enforcement for traffic stops and searches, explaining that it requires documenting specific facts justifying actions beyond mere suspicion or hunches. It outlines various scenarios and behaviors that can establish probable cause and asserts its necessity for successful prosecution. Additionally, it promotes resources for improving criminal justice report writing.

1. Writing Better Police
Reports: Probable Cause
by Jean Reynolds, Ph.D.

2. Writing Better Police
Reports: Probable Cause
by Jean Reynolds, Ph.D.

3. Law enforcement
officers must have
“probable cause” for
conducting a traffic
stop or making a
search.

4. So what is “probable cause,”
and how do you document it?

5. “Probable cause”
means recording
facts that justify
your actions.

6. Fear, anger, a
hunch, a
suspicion…these
aren’t enough.

7. The United States Constitution protects
the rights of American citizens. That
means…

8. …a judge may throw
out your case if you
didn’t provide
probable cause.

9. Probable cause must be documented in
every report.

10. If you were
dispatched to a
scene, “probable
cause” will not
be a problem.
You were told to
get involved.

11. But what if you were acting on your
own?

12. You need to record
facts that show you
had “probable cause”:
You heard a scream.

13. You saw…
drug paraphernalia a broken window

14. A driver crossed a line twice.

15. Other examples
include…
•A man who’s running and
looking over his shoulder
•Light and movement in an
abandoned building
•A man tightly holding the
wrist of a woman who’s
struggling to get away

16. Vehicle searches
require probable
cause. Stopping
a car for a
driving violation
isn’t sufficient.

17. Did you see the driver throw or
hide something?

18. Sometimes
behavior can
provide probable
cause…eyes that
jump nervously
from side to side.

19. …trembling
hands,
inconsistent
answers to
your questions.

20. When you write your
report, be sure to
include these details.

21. Documenting
“probable cause”
in a report
demonstrates your
professionalism…

22. And can result in a
successful
prosecution.

23. Ifyou’re looking
for a low-cost,
practical book…

24. Criminal Justice Report
Writing is available
from www.Amazon.com
for just $19.95.
View a free sample
online.

25. An e-book edition is
available from
www.Smashwords.com
for only $9.99.

26. A discount price is
available for class sets
(minimum five books).
A free Instructor’s Manual
is available for instructors
and administrators.
Send an e-mail request
from your official account
to jreynoldswrite at
aol.com.

27. And check out the free resources at
www.YourPoliceWrite.com.