PELLET B Report Writing & Clear Communication 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which is the most appropriate way to begin a police incident report narrative?
- On April 5, 2026, at approximately 1420 hours, I responded to a report of a residential burglary at 742 Evergreen Terrace. (Correct answer)
- So I got a call about a break-in at some house on Evergreen.
- It was a dark and stormy afternoon when the call came in about a burglary.
- Pursuant to the aforementioned dispatch communication, the undersigned officer did proceed to the described location.
Correct answer: On April 5, 2026, at approximately 1420 hours, I responded to a report of a residential burglary at 742 Evergreen Terrace.
Option A provides date, time, type of call, and location in professional, clear language.
Option A establishes when, what, where, and who responded. Option B is too informal, C is literary, D is overly formal legalese.
Question 2: How should 'The individual appeared to be under the influence' be improved?
- 'The individual displayed signs consistent with alcohol intoxication, including slurred speech, bloodshot watery eyes, and an unsteady gait.' (Correct answer)
- 'The individual was obviously drunk.'
- 'The individual seemed kind of out of it.'
- 'In my expert opinion, the individual was intoxicated beyond the legal limit.'
Correct answer: 'The individual displayed signs consistent with alcohol intoxication, including slurred speech, bloodshot watery eyes, and an unsteady gait.'
Option A replaces vague language with specific, observable indicators.
Listing specific observations (slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, unsteady gait) lets readers evaluate the assessment.
Question 3: Which uses law enforcement report writing conventions correctly?
- V/Garcia stated that S/Johnson threatened to harm her if she called the police. (Correct answer)
- The victim told me that the suspect said bad things and scared her.
- Mrs. Garcia reported that Mr. Johnson was very mean to her.
- GARCIA, MARIA — witness states JOHNSON, ROBERT did threaten bodily harm.
Correct answer: V/Garcia stated that S/Johnson threatened to harm her if she called the police.
Option A uses proper V/ and S/ designators with specific factual language.
V/ (victim), S/ (suspect) designators with specific threat details support prosecution.
Question 4: An officer must document events in order: suspect enters store, alarm sounds, officer arrives, suspect apprehended. Correct order?
- The suspect was observed entering the store. The alarm was activated. I arrived on scene. I apprehended the suspect. (Correct answer)
- I apprehended the suspect. The alarm sounded. The suspect entered the store. I arrived on scene.
- I arrived on scene. The suspect entered the store. I apprehended the suspect. The alarm sounded.
- The alarm activated. I arrived. The suspect entered. I apprehended.
Correct answer: The suspect was observed entering the store. The alarm was activated. I arrived on scene. I apprehended the suspect.
Option A presents events in correct chronological order.
Chronological narratives help everyone understand exactly what happened and when.
Question 5: Which use of force description is most appropriate for a report?
- I delivered two closed-fist strikes to the suspect's left shoulder area after the suspect attempted to grab my service weapon. (Correct answer)
- I punched the guy because he was getting aggressive.
- Due to the escalating confrontation, physical compliance measures were deemed necessary and applied.
- I hit the suspect a couple times to get him under control.
Correct answer: I delivered two closed-fist strikes to the suspect's left shoulder area after the suspect attempted to grab my service weapon.
Option A specifies technique, count, target area, and justification.
Option A provides technique (closed-fist strikes), count (two), target (left shoulder), and justification (weapon grab attempt).
Question 6: Which opening best connects a supplemental report to the original?
- This report supplements Case #2026-04125 regarding the residential burglary at 1800 Pacific Avenue reported on April 3, 2026. (Correct answer)
- Continued from before.
- More information about the burglary case.
- SUPPLEMENTAL — same case as my previous report filed earlier this week.
Correct answer: This report supplements Case #2026-04125 regarding the residential burglary at 1800 Pacific Avenue reported on April 3, 2026.
Option A identifies case number, crime type, location, and date.
Providing case number, crime, location, and date ensures the supplemental goes into the correct case file.
PELLET B Report Writing & Clear Communication 2
Which is the most appropriate way to begin a police incident report narrative?