There are four types of reports that an officer may be required to complete. Type one is when the officer is recording facts, mainly from suspects, witnesses, and victims. Many passive offenses, incident reports, and missing persons fall into this bracket. Type two is complex than the first. Not only with the officer record the facts, but he/she will also investigate the case. An example is when the officer will look for prints, and question neighbors to gather evidence. In the third type, the officer will be a participant in addition to recording facts and investigating. The officer may have to make an arrest, save the victim, or try to get the situation under control. In type four, the final category, the officer makes their own conscious decision to intervene in an ongoing crime; for instance, an officer stopping a drunk driver. To understand the different types of reports, it is important to note that each category adds some detail to the one before (Uviller, 2016).
All types of reports are equally important for similar reasons. Reports are the starting point of all criminal investigations. Prosecutors find these reports useful when the district attorney is charging suspects. Reports from type two to four are used as evidence (Uviller, 2016). The previous statement is the reason why it is crucial to record accurately and in legible writing; by doing this, facts of what transpired will be clear to those who were not present at the crime scene. Illegible writing might misdirect the investigation and pervert justice in the prosecution of the crime being documented.
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In conclusion, to understand the different types of police reports, you have to know the four categories. All types are important because they are the basis of investigations. Accuracy and legible writing are crucial since reports are used as evidence.
Reference
Uviller, H. (2016). The processes of criminal justice . West Pub. Co.
