Here’s a sample domestic violence report that falls into the Type 3 category. (Many domestic violence reports fall into the Type 3 category because the officer becomes part of the story that develops during the call.) (Click here for a chart explaining the Four Types of Reports.)
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Type 3 |
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| Event | Officer’s Role | Probable cause? | Information needed | Challenges | Special Requirements |
| Crime requires investigation and intervention | You are asked to become involved in a developing event (such as a domestic disturbance) | Must be documented if a third party makes the report | Story, plus investigation and results, plus your words and actions | Three stories must be blended:History (before you arrived)Developing story(what the you saw and heard)Your story (how the you handled the incident).Don’t record your thinking process. | If a story is developing when you arrive, be sure to include what you saw and heard as soon as you got there (screaming, crying, shooting).Also note what onlookers told you. |
Here’s a sample report:
At 0815 hours on 4 January 2010, I, Officer John Brown #547, was dispatched to a domestic disturbance at 301 Crown Place, Smithville.
I arrived at the house at 0820 hours. A neighbor was standing on the front lawn. The neighbor (Karen Lynch, WF, DOB 3/14/74) said she called the police when she heard screams coming from the house.
I knocked on the front door and called out “Police officer.” I heard a woman’s voice yell, “I hate you! I hate you!” I heard a man’s voice yell, “Shut your trap, you stupid bitch.” No one answered the door. I tried the knob. The door was unlocked, and I entered the living room.
A woman (Jane Brown, WF, DOB 8/15/81) was sitting on the sofa. There was a red mark on her right cheek. Her lips were trembling. Her face was wet, and her eye makeup was smeared. A man (Tim Brown, WM, DOB 11/13/79) was standing over her. His fists were clenched.
I said, “What’s the problem here?” and asked Tim to sit down in an armchair on the other side of the room. Tim told me, “Leave us alone. This is our house. It’s none of your business.” I again asked him to sit down, and he went to the armchair.
Jane Brown told me:
- She and Tim are married.
- She came home late from work and rushed to cook dinner.
- Tim became angry when he came to the table.
- He said he hated her cooking.
- Tim threw his pork chop at the wall.
- She jumped up from her seat and yelled that nothing she did was ever good enough for him.
- He slapped her on her right cheek.
Tim Brown told me:
- Jane cared more about her job and spending money than making a nice home.
- He slapped her and would do it again.
Tim Brown then walked over to the sofa and slapped Jane on her right cheek. He said, “I’m in charge here.”
I handcuffed Tom and told him he was under arrest. I read him his Miranda rights and called for a backup.
Officer Susan Clark #423 arrived at 0835 hours. She photographed Jane’s face with her cell phone camera and handed Jane a victim’s booklet. Jane said she did not need medical attention. Clark explained state attorney procedures to Jane.
Clark and I put Tim into my patrol car, and I drove him to the station.
Suggestion: Click here to read step-by-step explanation of another Type 3 domestic violence report.
can I report domestic violence of a youtuber and use her videos as a evidence?
I know that people have been prosecuted for videos posted online. I think you need to contact a supervisor at your agency for guidance about how to proceed.
yes that violate someone’s privacy and personal right.
Sorry to say but this report is pretty low quality. For example it’s very hard to understand if Tim Brown slapped the victim once before police arrived and another time when the officer was on scene or only once before police arrived. I understand that this is an example but I don’t know of any officer that would stand by while the victim is getting battered. And if Tim Brown slapped her in his presence why wasn’t he handcuffed right there on the spot. On top of that, the officer told him to go to the kitchen (possibly out of sight). What is one thing that every kitchen has? Knifes…
Thank you for the the free information but a poor report can hurt more than it can help.
I really appreciate the feedback, Mihai – and I’ll revise this scenario. In fact if you want to send me one to use for the website, I’ll post it and credit you.
The report you read came from an officer who told me his agency prefers to have a backup on hand when a domestic situation starts to escalate. The agency’s reasoning was that domestic situations are volatile, and the wife could retaliate if her husband is handcuffed. They wanted a second officer on the scene whenever possible.
Agency practices and policies vary, and I often encounter disagreements about handling a particular situation. I think your points are excellent, and I appreciate your taking the time to write! Jean
I am not the supposed ‘Victim’ but I was arrested for supposedly hitting my boyfriend. The cop who arrested me said my boyfriends dad said he saw me do it. Chargers weren’t filed and I’m back at my boyfriends who say that the dad never told the cop that. I tried to get the report but am being told since I’m the suspect I can’t. Is that true?
I’m sorry about the problems with your boyfriend, Nicole. Policies about releasing police reports vary both at the local and state levels. If you do face charges in the future, I’d strongly suggest talking to an attorney.
Thanks for posting recharge, It was kind of confusing report there is nothing clear what these persons did and why the police allowed him to shaped her wife in front of the police.
Thanks for posting for free of recharge, It was kind of confusing report there is nothing clear what these persons did and why the police allowed him to shaped her wife in front of the police.
Officers I’ve known say they never allow a suspect to hit someone. But they can’t control everything, especially when there are two people.
The officer told the man to sit in a chair. That was a good strategy to keep problems from happening.
But then the man jumped over, ran to his wife, and slapped her before the officer could stop him.
good day
kindly sent me more domestic violence isident that I can assist coz am working as a domestic violence officer
good day
kindly sent me more domestic violence incident’s that I can assist coz am working as a domestic violence officer
My ex husband to be beat me up on parking lot in front of the kids (we are living apart for 6 months now , and kids temporary with him ) , I called 911 , told them what happened and they gave me a booklet that I’m domestic violence victim and said – they will contact him over the phone and DCF .
Officer never went to see my ex , just gave him a call and my ex refuse to talk , and the officer said it’s his right.
My Q? Should of police go to the house and talk to my ex instead call him ?
Sorry, Kim – this is a blog about police writing, not police procedures. I suggest you consult an attorney.
Jean,
This is great information, but before I read further, is there scenario writing designed for FBI in lieu of police?
I don’t have any information about FBI policies and resources – sorry.
I trained myself to be professional intelligent design officer so i am interested to learn more by theory study investigations and scenario report writting, on any crime scene particularly on any case.
Thanks
Hi, Garry! You’ll find many useful resources on this website.
Hi. I am victim of domestic violence and abuse for the last 10 years, and the officer asked to write a statement.
Hi, Dorthene. I’m sorry you’ve been victimized. My website isn’t equipped to help you. Please contact the police department for assistance.
Reading this from the perspective of someone from UK (formerly legal and now safeguarding practitioner / specialist inspection and investigation) it strikes me as an incredibly odd, slightly shoddy and long winded way of making and keeping accurate notes – even more surprising given this is for police officers.
I am somewhat precious about paperwork which stems from my time spent working with and for some of the UK’s most savage, ruthless and soulless QC’s and barristers.
Fortunately for me at least I learned from them how not to be caught out by them and saw the result and witnessed firsthand how damaging one simple error, omission or genuine oversight can be someone’s undoing.
I developed various training courses from entry level foundation to more in-depth and extensive training for supervisors and managers with responsibility for overseeing safeguarding, mental capacity and deprivation of liberty issues within a care setting.
Appreciate it’s a different world from US law enforcement but I would be more than happy to fire over some of the notes, training notes, templates and group based role-play scenarios if it’s of any interest.
I pride myself on cutting out masses of unnecessary paperwork, stripping things back to basics and removing duplicated or complicated records because the more bulk and time it takes to write up at the end of every shift, the more people see it as an absolutely pointless waste of time and do only the absolute bare minimum they can which is the worst mindset you can get into.
Still mooching and reading lots of the info on this website but yell if you want me to send anything over in the meantime.
Jean,
I just discovered your blog a day or two ago (it’s fabulous!). I wonder if your resources might include outdated domestic violence reports written from the 1920s – 1980s.
Hi, Elizabeth – I’m so glad you’re finding my blog useful! The only domestic violence reports I have are the ones on the website. I don’t have an archive. Jean
Thanks for your remarkably quick response! E
🙂 You’re welcome!
Dr Reynolds,
Why do you refer to the victim and suspect by their first name instead of their last?
Great question! Often police reports include two (and sometimes more) members of a family. Using first names avoids confusion. If you just say “Smith,” you don’t know which person it is.
Another reason is that the trend nowadays is to make police reports sound like normal English. We often call people by their first names.
Is it possible to still get the instructors manual