OACP Written Communication and Grammar 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence uses the passive voice correctly in a police report?
- The officer arrested the suspect.
- The suspect was arrested by the officer. (Correct answer)
- Arresting the suspect was done by the officer.
- An arrest of the suspect occurred by the officer.
Correct answer: The suspect was arrested by the officer.
The passive voice places the subject receiving the action first, which is acceptable in reports when the object of the action is the focus.
Question 2: In formal police reports, which pronoun usage is most appropriate?
- I observed the vehicle moving erratically.
- We observed the vehicle moving erratically.
- The reporting officer observed the vehicle moving erratically. (Correct answer)
- They observed the vehicle moving erratically.
Correct answer: The reporting officer observed the vehicle moving erratically.
Many police jurisdictions require third-person references to avoid ambiguity and maintain objectivity in formal reports.
Question 3: Which of the following is an example of a dangling modifier?
- Running to the scene, the officer radioed for backup.
- Running to the scene, backup was radioed for. (Correct answer)
- The officer, running to the scene, radioed for backup.
- After running to the scene, the officer radioed for backup.
Correct answer: Running to the scene, backup was radioed for.
A dangling modifier occurs when the modifying phrase does not clearly refer to the correct subject in the sentence.
Question 4: Which punctuation correctly sets off a non-essential clause?
- The suspect, who was wearing a red jacket was apprehended.
- The suspect who was wearing a red jacket, was apprehended.
- The suspect, who was wearing a red jacket, was apprehended. (Correct answer)
- The suspect who, was wearing a red jacket was apprehended.
Correct answer: The suspect, who was wearing a red jacket, was apprehended.
Non-essential (non-restrictive) clauses are set off by commas on both sides.
Question 5: Which sentence contains a subject-verb agreement error?
- Neither the officer nor the detectives were notified.
- The team of investigators was dispatched.
- Each of the witnesses were interviewed. (Correct answer)
- The evidence collected at the scene was logged.
Correct answer: Each of the witnesses were interviewed.
'Each' is a singular indefinite pronoun and requires a singular verb ('was'), not the plural 'were'.
Question 6: What does 'conciseness' mean in the context of police report writing?
- Using technical legal terminology throughout the report.
- Expressing information clearly using as few words as necessary. (Correct answer)
- Including every possible detail regardless of relevance.
- Writing in passive voice to appear more objective.
Correct answer: Expressing information clearly using as few words as necessary.
Conciseness means conveying complete information without unnecessary words or repetition.
Question 7: Which correctly uses a semicolon?
- The officer secured the perimeter; and called for backup.
- The scene was secured; the detective began her investigation. (Correct answer)
- The witness was nervous; because she feared retaliation.
- Evidence was collected; however it was not logged.
Correct answer: The scene was secured; the detective began her investigation.
A semicolon joins two independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction.
OACP Written Communication and Grammar 2
Which sentence uses the passive voice correctly in a police report?