Discuss the difference between a well written report and a poorly written report
Written Report Examples
As we progress through this course, we will go in depth into the elements that make up a criminal justice report, as well as the requirements that make the report complete. The difference between a well-written report and a poorly written one can trigger numerous questions and alternative outcomes in any criminal justice capacity. Examine the following examples and the differences that each report makes when you consider the possible outcomes and conclusions. Apply this thinking to the task 1-1 discussion, where you will discuss the difference between a poorly written and well-written report.
EXAMPLE #1: A police officer responds to a report of an assault. The victim in this case does not wish to pursue charges.
POORLY WRITTEN
I Officer Smith responded to 123 Spruce St. and spoke to the victim. He told me that he was outside and his neighbor came up and hit him. The neighbor then left and went back home. The victim did not want to press charges, but wanted me to talk to the other guy.
I went to the neighbor’s house and spoke to him. He told me that it was a mutual argument and they had both pushed each other. He was also told to let things cool off before having any more contact.
WELL WRITTEN
I, Officer Smith, responded to 123 Spruce St. on a report of an assault and spoke to the victim, Mark Rogers. Rogers stated that he was outside in his driveway when he was approached by his neighbor, James Rhodes. Rogers stated that the two of them got into an argument over the property line and it ended with Rhodes punching him in the left side of the chest with his right fist.
Rogers added that he did not get hit hard and that he did not want to pursue any charges, he just asked that I speak to Rhodes about the incident. Rogers confirmed that Rhodes lives immediately next door at 125 Spruce St.
I spoke to Rhodes at his residence and listened to his account. Rhodes admitted that he did approach Rogers on his property and that an argument did occur over the property line. Rhodes added that it has been an ongoing problem. Rhodes stated that he did not punch Rogers, but he did push him back when Rogers got in his face.
Rhodes was advised that Rogers did not wish to pursue charges for assault and that he should let things cool off before having any more contact with Rogers.
Rogers and Rhodes were both advised to go through proper channels for determining and marking the property line to avoid any future conflicts.
EXAMPLE #2: A Department of Children’s Services Officer performs a welfare check and home visit to follow up on an anonymous complaint of unfit conditions.
POORLY WRITTEN
Following up on an anonymous complaint, this morning I went to the Jones residence at 4523 Carter Rd. to meet with Mr. and Mrs. Jones and the two girls. When I got to the house, I noticed that the yard was uncut and the house was in a state of disrepair. Mr. Jones answered and I told that I was there to do a welfare check on the children and that I need to see the inside of the house to make sure that the living conditions were satisfactory and that there was sufficient food in the house. He let me in and I met with him, his wife, and the girls in the living room. After talking to them for a few minutes, I did my inspection of the house and the girl’s rooms. I found the house to be dirty and the girls’ room was a mess. It looked like they had adequate clothes and beds. I next looked through the kitchen and found it to be a mess as well. The fridge did have some food in it and the freezer did too. I talked to the girls separately and they did not inform me of any maltreatment by their parents.
Although messy, I found that the girls do have sufficient shelter, clothing and food. I made some recommendations to the family to clean up the living environment and also to consider healthier choices for food. I told them I would do a follow up visit in one month to make sure that the girls were still being taken care of.
At this time I do not find sufficient cause to warrant further action with this complaint.
WELL WRITTEN
On today’s date I went to the residence of John and Mary Jones for follow up on an anonymous complaint concerning the conditions in the home and the welfare of two girls, Emily (age 9) and Jordan (age 5). As I pulled up to the residence at 4523 Carter Rd. I noticed that the grass appeared to have not been cut in several weeks and the outside of the house was in disrepair. I observed a front gutter to be loose, three missing shutters, and the paint on the house was flaking and peeling off.
The door was answered by John Jones; he was dressed in shorts and a t-shirt appropriate for the conditions. I identified myself and explained the complaint we received and the process that I had to follow to investigate it. Mr. Jones was visibly upset, but invited me into the home. I initially spoke with Mr. and Mrs. Jones and the two girls in the living room. I again advised the reason for my visit and explained to the group that I primarily needed to inspect the girls’ room for proper clothing and sleeping areas, and also inspect the kitchen and cabinets for food. Mr. and Mrs. Jones told me that they had nothing to hide and allowed me to continue with the inspection.
Overall, the house itself was cluttered with some clothing on the floor in every room and papers and old mail scattered on tabletops and desks. The house was also dusty and it appeared that the vacuum had not been run recently. The two girls share one bedroom, and although small, it did contain two beds, two dressers, and a small closet. I observed the room to be littered with clothes, some that appeared to be dirty and some that were clean and folded but not put away. I then proceeded to the kitchen where I observed a sink full of dishes and some leftover food on the stove top. The floor was also visibly dirty. The refrigerator contained a half gallon of milk, some leftover food in plastic containers, and various assortments of salad dressings and condiments. The freezer contained various frozen foods including waffles, pizza rolls, heat and eat dinners, and ice cream.
I spoke separately to Emily and Jordan and they advised that they always had food and clothes, but admitted that they did not always have what they wanted to eat or wear. They showed no signs of neglect and did not raise any issues of concern.
I advised Mr. and Mrs. Jones that I found sufficient items in the house to counter the complaint, but advised of steps that they could take to improve the overall conditions for the girls, including upkeep of the house, inside and out. I also provided them with information on nutrition and cost effective ways to make balanced meals at home that would include more fruits and vegetables. I further advised them that it was department policy to conduct a follow up visit in one month to make sure that the living conditions did not decline.
At this time I do not find sufficient cause to warrant further action with this complaint.
EXAMPLE #3: A police officer responds to a report of a burglary in progress.
POORLY WRITTEN
I, Officer Weber, responded to 1342 Walnut St, on a report of a burglary in progress. Prior to my arrival, I was advised that the suspect had fled on foot. I spoke to the victim, Mr. Henry, who advised that he came home and found his front door open, he heard noise inside and saw a man run out the back door. He said the man continued through the back yard toward the next street. I advised other responding units and they advised that they were talking to a suspicious male two streets over who was found running through yards. They also advised that the male had a gold watch in his pocket.
I asked Mr. Henry to see if he was missing a watch and he confirmed that he was. I asked if he could give a description of the man he saw and all he could tell me was that he had on a dark colored hoody. The other units confirmed that the male in question was wearing a black hoody and I told them to take him into custody.
The male was taken back to the jail where he was booked in for Aggravated Burglary.
WELL WRITTEN
I, Officer Weber, responded to 1342 Walnut St, on a report of a burglary in progress. Prior to my arrival I was advised that the suspect had fled on foot and other units were in the area searching. I made contact with Mark Henry, the homeowner. Henry advised that he arrived home and found his front door to be open. He stated that he heard a noise inside and when he opened the door, he saw a male in a dark colored hooded sweatshirt run out the back door. I observed that there was a clear line of sight through the house from the front to the back door. Henry further advised that he went to his back door and saw then male continuing to run through the yard toward the next street.
I provided the description to the other units in the area and was advised that they had a male stopped two streets over with a matching clothing description. Henry stated that everything happened so fast and he was unable to provide and further description with reference to race, height, build, or color of any other clothing.
I escorted Henry on a quick walk through the house and he stated that it did not appear to be out of order. He noted that bedroom doors that had been closed were still closed and there were several items of value that were still in plain sight. Henry did note that he was missing a gold watch from a dish that was on a table in the hallway, just inside the front door.
I asked Henry for a complete description of the watch and if there were any distinguishing markings on it. Henry advised that it was a Seiko watch with gold links, and that it had a small scratch on the glass over the number nine, and it was engraved on the back “With Love, Forever.”
I provided the other units with the description of the watch, which matched a watch that was found in the pocket of the male that had been stopped. The male was taken into custody and transported to the jail for processing and further follow up.
