16 Hour Professional Police Report Writing

Attendees will discuss all aspects of police report writing from dispatch to information gathering: Officer’s initial observations of victim & scene, statements & interviews, documenting persons on scene, & quality canvass. They will discuss how building community trust in daily contact aids cooperation & building strong cases. They will also discuss how local demographics can impact gaining cooperation, statements & conducting victim & witness interviews. Attendees will examine clear, accurate, chronological writing & the role of proofing & editing.
 
Learning Objectives:

1. Impact of the first responding Officer’s report on finding leads, investigation, prosecution, justice for the victim, the Department’s reputation, & Officer liability.
2. Five core characteristics of a creditable police report.
3. Professional communication skills: Observe, Elicit, Assess, & Documentation.
4. Officer’s knowledge of diversity builds trust towards getting statements & successful interviewing of victims, witnesses, & possible suspects. 
5. Documenting Reasonable Suspicion to Probable Cause; does content match the charges?
6. Recognizing human trafficking, hate crimes, elder abuse, crimes against children.
7. Canvass: Gather information with consistency through quality communication & dignity.
8. Crime Scene: How to work it, Documenting evidence handling, Processing (packaging, photographs, diagrams), Chain of Custody. When to call Detectives/Crime Scene Units.
9. When first responding Officer finds a dead body: what to do, how, & why.
10. How note-taking methods impact content accuracy & quotations.
11. Use quality Department report cut & paste statements.
12. Use quality Agency reports as blueprints for felony & misdemeanor crimes.