ACT 235 Report Writing 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which section of an incident report describes the actions taken by the officer during the event?
- Background/History section
- Action Taken section (Correct answer)
- Disposition section
- Witness statement section
Correct answer: Action Taken section
The Action Taken section documents exactly what the officer did in response to the incident.
Question 2: A court challenges the credibility of an officer's report because it contains inconsistencies with the officer's verbal testimony. This illustrates why reports must be:
- Written in cursive for authenticity
- Consistent, accurate, and written while events are fresh (Correct answer)
- Reviewed by a lawyer before submission
- Kept confidential from all parties
Correct answer: Consistent, accurate, and written while events are fresh
Inconsistencies between written reports and testimony damage credibility, making accuracy and timeliness essential.
Question 3: When describing a suspect in a security report, which type of information is most useful and appropriate?
- Assumed name and criminal history
- Observable physical descriptors such as height, weight, clothing, and hair color (Correct answer)
- The officer's assessment of the suspect's mental state
- The suspect's prior incidents at the location
Correct answer: Observable physical descriptors such as height, weight, clothing, and hair color
Observable physical descriptors are factual, legally defensible, and useful for identification.
Question 4: Why is it important to document the names of all witnesses in an incident report?
- To allow the employer to reward witnesses
- So witnesses can be contacted later for corroboration or testimony (Correct answer)
- To comply with HIPAA regulations
- To satisfy Act 235 training hour documentation requirements
Correct answer: So witnesses can be contacted later for corroboration or testimony
Witness contact information allows investigators and attorneys to obtain corroborating accounts of the incident.
Question 5: Which of the following is an example of a 'conclusory' statement that should be avoided in incident reports?
- 'The subject walked rapidly toward the exit.'
- 'I observed the subject place an item under his jacket.'
- 'The subject was attempting to steal merchandise.' (Correct answer)
- 'The subject's hands were shaking.'
Correct answer: 'The subject was attempting to steal merchandise.'
Stating the subject 'was attempting to steal' is a conclusion; reports should describe observed behaviors and let facts speak.
Question 6: An officer draws a diagram of the scene in an incident report. What is the main purpose of this diagram?
- To replace the written narrative
- To help readers visualize the spatial layout and positions of persons involved (Correct answer)
- To satisfy a mandatory Act 235 diagram requirement
- To document property damage only
Correct answer: To help readers visualize the spatial layout and positions of persons involved
Scene diagrams provide spatial context that words alone may not convey clearly, aiding investigators and courts.
Question 7: If an officer discovers a factual error in a submitted report, what is the proper procedure?
- Destroy the original and write a new one
- Draw a single line through the error, add the correction, initial, and date it (Correct answer)
- Use correction fluid to cover the error
- Leave the error to avoid drawing attention to it
Correct answer: Draw a single line through the error, add the correction, initial, and date it
Proper error correction preserves the original entry while clearly marking the change, maintaining document integrity.
ACT 235 Report Writing 3
Which section of an incident report describes the actions taken by the officer during the event?