State Trooper Report Writing and Grammar 3

Question 1

Which of the following should NEVER be included in a police report?

Accepted Answer

Officer's personal opinions about guilt

Answer

Police reports must contain only objective facts; personal opinions about guilt are inadmissible and can compromise the investigation.

Question 2

A report states: 'The suspect was obviously lying.' Why is this problematic?

Accepted Answer

It is a subjective conclusion, not an objective observation

Answer

Officers should document observable behaviors (e.g., 'the suspect's statements were inconsistent') rather than making subjective conclusions.

Question 3

Which punctuation mark is used to introduce a list in a formal police report?

Accepted Answer

Colon

Answer

A colon is used before a list or series of items in formal writing.

Question 4

What is the correct way to document a suspect's race and gender in a report?

Accepted Answer

Use standardized department-approved descriptors

Answer

Standardized, department-approved descriptors ensure consistency, professionalism, and legal defensibility.

Question 5

When a trooper cannot recall an exact time during an incident, what is the best practice?

Accepted Answer

Write 'approximately' followed by the best estimated time

Answer

Using 'approximately' before an estimated time is acceptable and honest, while fabricating times can constitute falsification of records.

State Trooper Practice Test