Officers often worry (and rightly so) about leaving something important out of a report. But it’s also true that some things don’t belong in a report. Here are some examples. (I’ve included improvements in blue.)
OPINIONS
Because of Mrs. Brown’s age, I knew she might not have heard the noise outside.
THOUGHTS
I decided the suspect had probably exited through the bedroom window.
GENERALIZATIONS
Foster seemed confused.
HUNCHES AND GUESSES
I had a hunch that Casey had put the money in the freezer.
PASSIVE VOICE
Clark was questioned by me.
CORRECT:
I questioned Clark.
But you can use passive voice if you didn’t know who performed the action:
A wallet and a diamond ring were taken.
JARGON
“Mirandized,” “Baker acted,” “this officer,” “I processed the area.”
BETTER:
I took him into custody and began Baker Act proceedings.
I read him his rights from my Miranda card.
I examined the front and back doors. I found pry marks by the outside door handle on the back door.
REPETITION
I asked what time she got home from work. She said 5:20 p.m. I asked what happened. She said she noticed the open window and got worried. I asked if she was sure it had been closed when she left that morning. She said yes, she was sure it had been closed.
BETTER:
She said she got home from work at 5:20 p.m. She saw the open window and got worried. She was sure it had been closed when she left that morning.
A concise and objective report saves time and shows off your professionalism. Make it your goal to write an excellent report every time.