NPOST Police Test Incident Report Writing Questions and Answers

Question 1

An officer is writing a report about a domestic disturbance. Which of the following statements is the most objective and appropriate for the report?

Accepted Answer

I observed a broken lamp on the floor and a red mark on the female's left cheek.

Answer

The couple was having a silly argument over money.

Answer

The male subject was clearly the aggressor and was trying to start a fight.

Answer

The female subject seemed to be exaggerating her story to get the male in trouble.

Question 2

Which of the following is the primary reason for writing an incident report in chronological order?

Accepted Answer

To create a clear, logical, and easy-to-understand narrative of the events as they occurred.

Answer

To allow the officer to omit less important details.

Answer

To make the report more dramatic and engaging for the reader.

Answer

To prioritize the most serious offenses at the beginning of the report.

Question 3

When documenting a witness's statement, it is best practice to:

Accepted Answer

Use direct quotes in quotation marks for key parts of the statement.

Answer

Summarize the statement using police jargon to save space.

Answer

Correct any grammatical errors the witness made.

Answer

Paraphrase the statement to make it sound more professional.

Question 4

Read the following list of actions taken by an officer at a burglary scene: 1. Interviewed the homeowner. 2. Received the dispatch call. 3. Secured the perimeter of the property. 4. Dusted for fingerprints on the point of entry. What is the correct chronological sequence for these events in an incident report?

Accepted Answer

2, 3, 1, 4

Answer

1, 4, 3, 2

Answer

3, 2, 1, 4

Answer

2, 1, 3, 4

Question 5

Which of the following sentences is written with the most clarity, conciseness, and professionalism for an incident report?

Accepted Answer

The vehicle failed to stop at the red light at the intersection of Main St. and First Ave.

Answer

I made contact with the individual who was the victim of the alleged crime.

Answer

The perp was hanging out on the corner, acting shady.

Answer

It appeared to me the driver was inebriated because he was all over the road.

Question 6

The fundamental components of a complete incident report are often referred to as the '5 Ws and H'. What does this acronym stand for?

Accepted Answer

Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How

Answer

Who, Witnesses, Warrants, Where, Why, and How

Answer

What, Where, Weapons, Warnings, Why, and How

Answer

Who, What, When, Weather, Why, and How