Williamette Week is a news publication that serves Portland, Oregon, and the Williamette Valley. A recent feature makes an important point about police reports.

The Portland Police Bureau is experiencing unusual delays in delivering copies of police reports to citizens who request them. The delays are due to budget problems, a new records management system, and a personnel shortage, and the PPB is working hard to solve the problem.

What’s especially interesting are the comments that readers have posted in response to the news story. One citizen needed a report to complete an insurance form that would reimburse his medical expenses after a bicycle accident. Another needed a police report as evidence in a divorce case.

If you’re a police officer, those comments offer a useful reminder about the importance of police reports. There’s nothing glamorous or exciting about writing police reports! But those reports can make a huge difference to a citizen who’s struggling with a difficult situation.

If you handle required paperwork in a professional manner, take a moment right now to congratulate yourself. You’re providing a vital service to your community.