NYPD Written Expression Flashcards

Officer Reyes writes: 'The suspect runned from the scene and hided behind a dumpster.' Which revision is correct?

Answer: The suspect ran from the scene and hid behind a dumpster.

'Ran' and 'hid' are the correct simple past tense forms of 'run' and 'hide.'

Which sentence uses a comma correctly?

Answer: After securing the perimeter, the sergeant called for backup.

A comma is correctly placed after an introductory adverbial phrase ('After securing the perimeter').

Officer Kim needs to report: 'The victim told me that the attacker wore a red jacket.' Which is the most precise restatement?

Answer: The victim stated that the suspect was wearing a red jacket.

Option B preserves all key details — the source (victim), the subject (suspect), and the specific description (red jacket).

Which of the following is written in the clearest, most direct language for a police report?

Answer: The vehicle was broken into at approximately 2:00 AM on July 15.

Option B states the facts directly with specific time and date, avoiding vague language.

Choose the sentence with correct subject-verb agreement.

Answer: Neither the officers nor the sergeant was aware of the complaint.

With 'neither...nor,' the verb agrees with the subject closest to it; 'sergeant' is singular, so 'was' is correct.

Officer Torres wrote: 'Me and my partner responded to the call.' How should this sentence be corrected?

Answer: My partner and I responded to the call.

'My partner and I' is correct because 'I' is used as a subject pronoun, not 'me.'

Which sentence avoids redundancy?

Answer: The officer responded and arrived at the location.

Option C has no redundancy; the others repeat information already implied by another word in the sentence.