Students will create a MS PowerPoint Presentation that includes the following:An APA (6th ed.) formatted title slide that includes the title of your assignment, your name and the school affiliation (C

Running head: POLICE REPORT WRITING CHECKLIST 1

POLICE REPORT WRITING CHECKLIST

Name of Student

Institution Affiliation

Police Report Writing Checklist:

Research has shown that a checklist helps one to write a good police report. The checklist considers the following:

One need to use names and pronouns in the report such as I, he and her at the time when ne write about him/herself or others that are present at the scene. One need to avoid using outdates phrases such as “the witness mentioned above”, “this officer”.
One need to limit him/herself to one idea per sentence.

This is important since straight forward sentences that are short are very easy to read. Short sentences save time for everyone that reads the sentence. When a sentence is long, there are higher chances for someone to make errors.

One need to start every sentence that he is constructing with place, person or thing. Normal sentence structures usually start with a noun with simple grammar. The period should come at the end.
One need to limit him/herself to three commas every sentence. Sentences that have more than three commas are more complicated to read. Such sentences have usage and punctuation errors.
One need to be clear and specific. One needs to strive for clarity in the sentences that he/she constructs.
Use of simple language. One needs to use simple language that is easy for anyone to understand.
Sticking to observable facts. One should avoid using conclusions, hunches, gueses as well as other thought processes.
The report should be written in paragraphs. This will ensure that the report remains logical, easy to read and understand.
One need to use active voice. The use of active voice such as “I saw Shayne walking down the road” ensures that there is objectivity in the sentence.
Use bullet style. Use the format of bullet style when you are recording many pieces of information that are related. (Reynolds, 2016)
Think about using the 5 W’s like what, who, when, why and where. This information should come to your opening sentence when you are writing on a piece of paper.
One need to include full names as well as contact information for the victims, witnesses as well as the suspects if available. If you happen to interview someone who is important for future investigation, the officer need to get his/her back up phone number like relatives and friends.
The officer need to include the results for the investigation that he/she did. Results from the footprints, fingerprints and blood stains.
The officer need to ensure that the disposition of the report become complete.
The officer need to avoid using insensitive language as well as slang unless he/she is quoting the exact words for someone.
The date and the time of occurrence of the event should be included in the police report. This assist in tracking the events during investigations.
The location of the occurrence has to be included in the report. This will assist the officer that will be carrying out the investigations.
The officer need to use spell checker or grammar checker if he/she is writing on a computer. When you are writing on a paper, you need to use a dictionary and double check some words that you are uncertain of. (Reynolds, A Criminal Justice Report Writing Checklist, 2019)

REFERENCES

Reynolds, J. (2016). Ten tips for writing Reports Efficiently. Retrieved from YourPoliceWrite.com: https://yourpolicewrite.com/how-to-write-police-report

Reynolds, J. (2019). A Criminal Justice Report Writing Checklist. Retrieved from YourPoliceWrite.com: https://yourpolicewrite.com/how-to-write-police-report