NYPD Written Expression Flashcards

Officer Walsh wrote: 'The complainant said that the neighbor's dog barked all night, keeping she and her husband awake.' What is the error?

Answer: 'She' should be 'her'

'She' is a subject pronoun; after 'keeping,' an object pronoun ('her') is required.

Which passage best demonstrates objective, fact-based report writing?

Answer: The suspect was pacing back and forth and refused to make eye contact when questioned.

Option B records observable behaviors without personal interpretation or conclusions.

Which sentence correctly uses 'its' and 'it's'?

Answer: The vehicle had its engine running when officers arrived.

'Its' (no apostrophe) is the possessive pronoun; option C correctly uses it to show the vehicle's engine.

An officer's report reads: 'Responded to 911 call. Arrived scene. Victim found injured.' What is the primary weakness of this report?

Answer: Incomplete sentences lacking essential detail

The fragments omit critical information such as times, location, nature of injuries, and subjects performing actions.

Choose the sentence that correctly uses 'affect' vs. 'effect.'

Answer: Fatigue can affect an officer's decision-making in the field.

'Affect' is typically a verb meaning to influence; option C correctly uses it as a verb modifying 'decision-making.'

Officer Grant's report says: 'The complainant, the suspect, and two witnesses was interviewed at the precinct.' What correction is needed?

Answer: Change 'was' to 'were'

The compound subject (complainant, suspect, and two witnesses) is plural, requiring 'were' instead of 'was.'

Which transition word best fills the blank? 'The officer attempted to de-escalate the situation; ___, the suspect became increasingly agitated.'

Answer: however

'However' correctly signals a contrast between the de-escalation attempt and the suspect's worsening behavior.