Today’s short quiz will help you sharpen your report writing skills.

PART ONE  FACT OR OPINION?

Opinions don’t belong in police reports! They have to be objective. Remember too that you can’t claim to be a mind reader. Write what you saw and heard, not what you were thinking.
Put a √ in front each fact and an X in front of each opinion.

1. The man raised his fists.

2. The man was thinking about punching me.

3. The woman was planning to run.

4. The woman looked several times at the door.

PART TWO   WHICH ONE IS BETTER?

Both sentences below are grammatically correct. But one sentence is more readable and better for a police report. Which one?

1.  Vehicle #1 was traveling in the left lane of Route 95 North in Providence. The driver lost control 500 feet south of Route 195 East.

2.  Vehicle #1 was traveling in the left lane of Route 95 North in the City of Providence when at a point 500 feet south of Route 195 East, the driver lost control.

ANSWERS

PART ONE  FACT OR OPINION?

√ 1. The man raised his fists.  FACT

X  2. The man was thinking about punching me.  MIND READING

X  3. The woman was planning to run.  MIND READING

√ 4. The woman looked several times at the door.  FACT

PART TWO   WHICH ONE IS BETTER?

Answer: #2. Although #1 is grammatically correct, it’s too complicated. Short, crisp sentences are a better choice for police reports.

Vehicle #1 was traveling in the left lane of Route 95 North in Providence. The operator lost control 500 feet south of Route 195 East.  BETTER

How did you do?