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Introduction

introduction to crime

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5 views

Introduction

introduction to crime

Uploaded by

perezmilkyabegail
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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INTRODUCTION TO POLICE

REPORT WRITING

CRIME
FICTION
DEFINING POLICE REPORT
DEFINITION PURPOSE
A police report is a formal, structured They are crucial for documenting facts,
document prepared by law enforcement preserving witness statements,
personnel that captures details about incidents, establishing an evidence trail, and
crimes, accidents, arrests, and other law facilitating communication across law
enforcement activities. It serves as an official enforcement agencies, the judicial
record to support investigations, judicial system, and sometimes the public.
proceedings, and administrative decisions.
THE IMPORTANT USES OF REPORT WRITING
CRITERIA TO CONSIDER IN REPORT WRITING

CLARITY AND CONCISENESS


ACCURACY READABILITY
Each report must be Reports should be clear While comprehensive, reports
meticulously accurate, and easy to understand, should avoid unnecessary
representing events as using straightforward details, focusing on relevant
they happened, with no language to ensure they information to keep the
alterations or omissions are accessible to readers document precise and to the
of fact. from varied backgrounds. point.
CRITERIA TO CONSIDER IN REPORT WRITING

OBJECTIVITY AND
NEUTRALITY: TIMELINESS

Officers must maintain a neutral Reports should be completed soon


tone, avoiding personal opinions, after the incident to capture
biases, or assumptions. Facts and fresh, accurate information. Delays
observations should stand alone can lead to memory decay and
without subjective language. potentially missing critical details.
TYPES OF POLICE REPORTS
ADMINISTRATIVE
REPORTS
These are internal records about non-
operational matters, such as
equipment inventories, personnel
issues, or policy compliance. They serve
as documentation for internal
management and accountability.
TYPES OF POLICE REPORTS
OPERATIONAL REPORTS
These focus on incidents or cases directly involving police operations. Common types include:

Incident Reports: Document a particular event, like a crime,


accident, or disturbance.
Crime Reports: Specifically detail criminal activity, capturing
information about victims, suspects, witnesses, and evidence.
Arrest Reports: Record information about an arrest, including
suspect details, charges, and evidence leading to the arrest.
Follow-Up Reports: Include updates on ongoing cases, new evidence,
or witness statements gathered after the initial report.
CLASSIFICATION AND CATEGORY
OF POLICE REPORTS
1. Classification by Purpose:
Informational: For internal use to keep records of activities, observations, and general
findings.
Evidentiary: For use in court, documenting evidence to support legal arguments or to serve
as proof in judicial processes.
2. Classification by Crime or Incident Type:
Non-Criminal Reports: Document non-criminal matters, such as civil disturbances,
accidents, and welfare checks.
Criminal Reports: Cover misdemeanors or felonies, such as theft, assault, fraud, or other
criminal acts.
CONCEPT OF THE ANATOMY OF CRIME
The anatomy of a crime involves analyzing key components that make
DEFINITION AND IMPORTANCE up a criminal act, such as motive, opportunity, and means.
Understanding these elements helps in piecing together how a crime
occurred and identifying potential suspects.

Motive: The reason behind committing the crime.


COMPONENTS OF CRIME Opportunity: The conditions that allowed the crime to take place.
Means: The method or tools used to commit the crime.

Reports are structured to capture evidence and observations that piece


HOW POLICE REPORTS CAPTURE THIS
ANATOMY together the motive, opportunity, and means, creating a cohesive
narrative of the crime for investigative and legal purposes.
POLICE VISIBILITY
Police visibility refers to the strategic presence of law enforcement
DEFINITION
officers in communities to deter crime and build a sense of security.

Crime Deterrence: A visible police presence reduces the likelihood of


IMPORTANCE OF VISIBILITY crimes occurring in high-risk areas.
Community Trust: Interaction with the community increases public
trust and encourages cooperation.
Rapid Response: Visible patrols ensure officers are closer to potential
incidents, allowing for faster response times.

Documenting police visibility and presence during incidents can provide


ROLE IN REPORTS
context, showing proactive measures taken to maintain public order.
USE OF NOTEBOOKS AND JOURNAL ENTRIES
Officers use notebooks to jot down immediate details about incidents as they
unfold. This serves as a primary record that aids in writing accurate reports later.
POLICE NOTEBOOKS
Notebooks often include:
Descriptions of people, places, and events.
Direct quotes from witnesses or suspects.
Time-stamped entries to track the sequence of events.

Journals are used by officers to keep a chronological log of their daily


JOURNAL ENTRIES: activities, observations, and non-urgent notes. They help create a
comprehensive account of an officer’s shift and can be referenced for
future reports or investigations.

Both notebooks and journal entries enhance the accuracy and detail of
IMPORTANCE IN REPORT WRITING:
reports, supporting officers’ memory and providing a factual foundation
for the final document.

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