OACP - Ontario Association of Chief of Police Police Report Writing Fundamentals Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An officer is writing a report about a suspect who was uncooperative during an arrest. Which of the following statements is the MOST objective and professional for the report?
- The suspect had a poor attitude and was being difficult.
- The suspect refused to follow verbal commands to place his hands behind his back and attempted to pull away when I initiated physical control. (Correct answer)
- The angry suspect was clearly trying to provoke a reaction from officers on scene.
- It was obvious the suspect was not going to cooperate with the arrest.
Correct answer: The suspect refused to follow verbal commands to place his hands behind his back and attempted to pull away when I initiated physical control.
The correct answer describes the suspect's specific, observable actions (refusing commands, pulling away) without making subjective interpretations of their attitude, emotional state, or intentions. Police reports must be based on objective facts, not the officer's opinions or assumptions.
Question 2: When structuring the narrative of a standard police incident report, what is the most widely accepted and effective method?
- By order of importance, starting with the most critical event, such as an arrest.
- In reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent action.
- In chronological order, documenting events as they occurred from beginning to end. (Correct answer)
- Grouped by topic, with all witness statements together, followed by all officer actions.
Correct answer: In chronological order, documenting events as they occurred from beginning to end.
Chronological order is the standard and most effective way to structure a police report. It creates a clear, logical, and easy-to-follow narrative of the incident from the initial call to the final action, which is crucial for anyone reviewing the report, including supervisors, investigators, and Crown attorneys.
Question 3: Which of the following describes the standard narrative perspective and voice that should be used in a modern police report?
- Third-person, passive voice (e.g., 'The subject was placed in the vehicle by this officer.')
- Second-person, active voice (e.g., 'You would see the suspect flee the scene.')
- First-person, active voice (e.g., 'I placed the subject in my vehicle.') (Correct answer)
- Third-person, active voice (e.g., 'Officer Smith placed the subject in his vehicle.')
Correct answer: First-person, active voice (e.g., 'I placed the subject in my vehicle.')
Modern police report writing standards favor the first-person, active voice. Writing in the first person ('I') is direct and clear, while active voice ('I placed...') is stronger and less ambiguous than passive voice ('was placed...'), clearly identifying who performed the action.
Question 4: Which of the following is NOT considered one of the essential qualities of a well-written police report, often referred to as the 'Cs' of report writing?
- Complete
- Concise
- Creative (Correct answer)
- Clear
Correct answer: Creative
Police reports must be factual, objective, and professional. The essential qualities are that they must be Clear, Concise, Complete, and Correct. Creativity involves imagination and invention, which are the opposite of the factual objectivity required in an official police document.
Question 5: An officer is writing a report that will be read by a Crown attorney, members of the public, and a judge. Which sentence is the most appropriate and clear for this audience?
- The perp was 10-7 and we RTB'd shortly after.
- The subject de-bussed from the auto and hoofed it eastbound.
- I apprehended the suspect who subsequently became belligerent.
- I arrested the man after he shouted, 'You'll never catch me!' (Correct answer)
Correct answer: I arrested the man after he shouted, 'You'll never catch me!'
This sentence uses plain, professional English and includes a direct quote to convey the facts without relying on police jargon (10-codes, 'perp'), slang ('hoofed it'), or subjective labels ('belligerent'). Reports should be easily understood by any reader, regardless of their familiarity with law enforcement terminology.
Question 6: When documenting the fundamental elements of an offence in a report, which of the following questions is MOST critical to answer for the report to be considered complete?
- What was the weather like at the time of the incident?
- Who, what, when, where, why, and how? (Correct answer)
- What is the officer's personal opinion of the victim's credibility?
- How many police units were available in the area at the time of dispatch?
Correct answer: Who, what, when, where, why, and how?
The '5 Ws and H' (Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How) are the foundational questions that a police report's narrative must answer to be considered complete. These elements establish the basic facts of the incident, which are essential for any subsequent investigation or legal proceeding.
OACP - Ontario Association of Chief of Police Police Report Writing Fundamentals Questions and Answers
An officer is writing a report about a suspect who was uncooperative during an arrest.
Which of the following statements is the MOST objective and professional for the report?