Write to Protect and Serve is the only guide on police report writing an officer will need. Written for officers at all levels, this book discusses proper notetaking at the scene of the crime, different elements of police reports, and compliance writing. An entire chapter is dedicated to audio and visual writing exercises and examples from real cases, so that officers can write the most accurate report possible.

Criminal Justice Report Writing offers both recruits and experienced officers a wealth of information about report writing. A pre-test and post-test help you assess your stengths and determine which skills need your attention. Topics include organizing and writing reports, bullet style, reviewing sentence skills, avoiding usage errors, and applying the specialized vocabulary needed for report writing. Sample reports are included. Exercises are provided throughout the book, and an Answer Key allows you to check your progress at each step.

A fully revised and updated edition of the bible of the newspaper industry

This book is designed to help law enforcement professionals overcome the internal assaults they experience both personally and organizationally over the course of their careers. These assaults can transform idealistic and committed officers into angry, cynical individuals, leading to significant problems in both their personal and professional lives.

“If it’s not in the report, it didn’t happen.” This law enforcement adage has stood the test of time for a reason. With calls for greater transparency in the criminal justice system and technology revolutionizing how information is shared, police reports have taken on new life in today’s law enforcement world. For most new officers, learning how to write a report starts with learning what to write. Make no mistake, a quality investigation is the foundation of a successful police report. By exploring the critical interplay between investigating and writing, It Did Happen: A Police Officer’s Guide to Successful Report Writing examines case development and narrative construction from the ground up. As it does, it analyzes different categories of police reports and reviews the legal standards and procedural rules that officers regularly encounter. Along the way, it contrasts mandatory and discretionary reporting and discusses how computer-aided dispatch systems can serve as valuable investigative resources. Finally, this book recognizes that police reports are the foremost tool for communicating the facts and circumstances that guide an officer’s decisions. Whether you attend the police academy, take a criminal justice course, or work in the security field, this book offers several strategies to enhance your report writing skills.