Troy Davis is the only major-college running back to rush for 2,000 yards in consecutive seasons. He will be inducted into college football Hall of Fame next month. 

But Davis was arrested for drunk driving at about 2:30 AM on October 3, about 14 hours after he was honored at the Cyclones vs. Baylor game on October 2. (You can read more here.) Here’s the police report – objective, thorough, and professional:

On the above date and time, I was patrolling on Chamberlain Street when two males approached me saying their friend was extremely intoxicated and about to drive home drunk. I noticed another group of males holding the intoxicated male, the defendant, next to a car. The defendant was unable to stand unassisted.

When I approached the defendant his eyes were extremely bloodshot and watery. I could smell the strong scent of an alcoholic beverage emanating on or about his person. The defendant admitted to drinking 3 Crown and Cokes. The defendant’s speech was extremely slurred and I could smell the strong scent of a consumed alcoholic beverage emanating on his breath. The defendant refused all of the Standardized Field Sobriety tests and the Preliminary Breath Test. I arrested the defendant at approximately 0229 hours.

The officer provides specific details to support the decision to make an arrest:

• “The defendant was unable to stand unassisted.”
• “…strong scent of an alcoholic beverage…”
• “speech was extremely slurred”

Note the words “alcoholic beverage.” Because alcohol is odorless, “alcoholic beverage” is a better term for police writing.

I’m especially impressed that there’s no passive voice in this report. Everything is written in active voice: “I could smell….” and “I arrested the defendant….”

I would recommend only one change: Omit “At the above date and time” if you’ve already recorded that information on the official form.