10504141Report Writing
Course Information
Description
In this course, students will learn how to write a wide variety of law enforcement reports to accurately and fairly convey necessary information for use by investigators, prosecutors, and the public. Understanding who will be using these reports and the multitude of audiences and reason they will be using the law enforcement report is an essential skill. Essential to all law enforcement personnel is to take effective field notes and translate pertinent information from these notes into official detailed police reports. Meets LESB performance objectives.
Total Credits
3
Course Competencies
  1. Acquaint self with goal of an investigation
    Assessment Strategies
    by participating in class discussion
    on a written exam
    by participating in a group project
    Criteria
    you identify the 5 w's in a report
    you examine the goal of an investigation
    you summarize what is an investigation

  2. Illustrate the mechanics of note taking
    Assessment Strategies
    on written exam
    in a group project
    by submitting a written report
    Criteria
    you summarize the importance of field notes
    you summarize the basic uses of field notes
    you summarize how to organize a field notebook

  3. Summarize the rules of narrative writing
    Assessment Strategies
    by producing a report narrative using the rules of narrative writing
    by participating in class discussion
    Criteria
    you summarize the importance of writing in the first person
    you summarize the use of past tense in a report
    you summarize the use of active voice in writing a narrative
    you summarize how to refer to people in a report

  4. Examine rules pertaining to persons and property
    Assessment Strategies
    by submitting a report with the proper descriptions
    by participating in class discussion
    on a written exam
    Criteria
    you distinguish between victims, reporting parties, suspects and others within a report
    you summarize when to list someone as a suspect
    you write a good description of a suspect

  5. Write a crime report
    Assessment Strategies
    by writing a crime report
    by participation in class discussion
    on a written exam
    Criteria
    you identify the purpose of a crime report
    you summarize the components of a crime report
    you summarize what information must be included in a crime report
    you write a crime report

  6. Write an arrest report
    Assessment Strategies
    by participation in class discussion
    on a written report
    on a written exam
    Criteria
    you identify when an arrest report is needed
    you identify what is needed in an arrest report
    you summarize what should not be included in an arrest report
    you write an arrest report

  7. Recognize issues in writing
    Assessment Strategies
    on a written report
    on a written exam
    by class participation
    Criteria
    you distinguish between facts and opinions
    you establish probable cause within a report
    you identify the use of Miranda within a report

  8. Write a warrants
    Assessment Strategies
    by class participation
    on a written report
    on a written exam
    Criteria
    you identify the key parts of a search warrant
    you summarize the process of obtaining a warrant
    you use the rules of narrative writing to complete a warrant