FREE SHERIFF Report Writing and Grammar Questions and Answers

Question 1

Which of the following sentences from an incident report is the MOST clear, concise, and grammatically correct?

Accepted Answer

I observed the driver of the red sedan exit his vehicle and begin a verbal confrontation.

Answer

The suspect, he was unable to provide a consistent alibi for his whereabouts.

Answer

A verbal confrontation was initiated by the driver of the red sedan after he exited the vehicle.

Answer

At that point in time, the individual driving the vehicle was observed by me to have exited and proceeded to initiate a verbal confrontation.

Question 2

Which of the following sentences is written in the active voice, which is the preferred style for law enforcement reports?

Accepted Answer

Deputy Rodriguez documented the victim's injuries with her body camera.

Answer

The stolen property was located in a dumpster by Officer Miller.

Answer

The witness was interviewed at the scene of the incident.

Answer

The suspect's vehicle was identified by a witness.

Question 3

Read the following sentence and choose the option that uses the correct verb form: 'The box of evidence files, along with the digital recorder, ______ placed in the evidence locker.'

Accepted Answer

was

Answer

were

Answer

have been

Answer

are

Question 4

The sentence 'The deputy told the witness that he needed to provide a written statement' is ambiguous. Which of the following revisions is the MOST clear?

Accepted Answer

The deputy said to the witness, "You need to provide a written statement."

Answer

The deputy told the witness that he, the deputy, needed to provide a written statement.

Answer

A written statement was needed, the deputy told the witness.

Answer

He needed to provide a written statement, according to the deputy's instruction to the witness.

Question 5

You are writing a report narrative and need to choose the sentence with the correct word usage. Which sentence is correct?

Accepted Answer

The deputy had to seize the weapon as evidence.

Answer

The argument had a noticeable affect on the children present.

Answer

The team received council from the legal department before proceeding.

Answer

The main principal of the new policy is to increase officer safety.

Question 6

When organizing an incident report narrative, what is the most logical and effective structure to follow?

Accepted Answer

A chronological account of events, starting from the deputy's arrival or the incident's beginning.

Answer

A list of involved parties, followed by evidence collected, then a summary of events.

Answer

A summary of the outcome, followed by witness statements, then the initial dispatch information.

Answer

An alphabetical listing of all facts gathered during the investigation.