NTN Police Incident Report Writing 2

Question 1

Which of the following is the most important principle when writing an incident report?

Accepted Answer

Documenting all relevant facts accurately and objectively, including those favorable to the suspect

Answer

Using as many legal and technical terms as possible to appear professional

Answer

Recording only facts that support a likely conviction

Answer

Writing the report as quickly as possible to reduce paperwork time

Question 2

An officer responding to a theft call needs to document the victim's loss. Which entry is most appropriate in an incident report?

Accepted Answer

Victim reported the theft of one silver Apple MacBook Pro laptop, approximately 15 inches, valued at $2,000.

Answer

The victim lost a lot of expensive stuff.

Answer

The victim's laptop was stolen, which was worth a lot of money.

Answer

Victim lost her computer and some other things.

Question 3

When documenting witness statements in an incident report, what is the best approach?

Accepted Answer

Record the exact words of witnesses and place them in quotation marks

Answer

Paraphrase all statements to save time and space

Answer

Only include witness information if it supports the victim's version of events

Answer

Summarize the gist of what witnesses said using your own interpretation

Question 4

Which report entry correctly uses the 24-hour clock?

Accepted Answer

Officers arrived at 14:15 hours.

Answer

Officers arrived at 2:15 PM.

Answer

Officers arrived at 2:15 hours PM.

Answer

Officers arrived at 14:15 PM.

Question 5

After completing an incident report, an officer notices a factual error in the report. What is the correct procedure?

Accepted Answer

Draw a single line through the error, write the correction, and initial the change

Answer

White out the error and write the correction over it

Answer

Delete the report and start over

Answer

Leave the error in place to avoid drawing attention to the mistake

Question 6

In an incident report, the term 'stated' is used to attribute information to a source. Which sentence correctly uses this term?

Accepted Answer

The victim stated that three men entered the store.

Answer

The suspect stated guilty of the crime.

Answer

Stated the officer, a weapon was visible.

Answer

The evidence stated that the suspect was present.