The police report, though fundamental to any criminal investigation, is one of the most overlooked tools available to the law enforcement officer. Police reports are used to provide an accurate written account of a law enforcement officer’s observation during a criminal investigation. Generally speaking a police report has two functions: (1) to communicate necessary information to individuals that were not present at the event but need to know and understand what happened and (2) to maintain a record of events. Written records are important because, among other points, they provide a permanent database of police activity and a means to refresh an officer’s memory later.
Police reports have a number of uses throughout the life of a criminal case. Prior to trial, a police report may be used by a district attorney to determine if a criminal charge will be filed. If a charge is filed, the police report will be used a defense attorney to understand the facts of the case, prepare a defense or whether further investigation will be needed. During trial the police report will be used by the district attorney to assist the police officer provide testimony or by a defense attorney as a basis to cross-examine the officer. After trial, a police report might be used by a judge to determine the appropriate punishment.
Although a police report is not evidence, effective report writing that includes all pertinent information in the report such as the full names of witnesses or the location, date and time of the incident is critical to the orderly resolution of a case. A clear and accurate police report is essential to its usefulness as a tool of criminal investigation. A police report that is inaccurate, sloppy or incomplete can call into question the attentiveness of the officer or, more importantly, the validity of the facts of the case. At worst, a poorly written report can lead to an unjust result or improper verdict..
Sources
Goodman, Debbie J. Report It in Writing. Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall, 2010. Print.
Reynolds, Jean. The Criminal Justice Report Writing Course for Officers. USA: Maple Leaf Press, 2011. Print.
