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Field Notes: Brief notations for the purpose of recording notes after you complete a call. Field notes should be accurate, and the time of the incident should be recorded. The field notes an officer takes at the scene in the early stage of an investigation are the best evidence, as they are taken before there is any opportunity to alter them.
At the beginning of the workday, a new page in your field notes should be started and should include the date, time worked, partner, unit number, and district worked.
Notes on incidents should include the weather conditions, location of the incident, characteristics of the neighborhood, and what is seen, heard, and smelled at the crime scene.
Record names and descriptions of victims and witnesses. List the names of other officers who were involved in the event and describe their activities. Describe the chain of custody of the evidence you handle.
All statements, comments, and observations are on the record. To avoid being quoted, writing or speaking should be avoided.
Statements made by a witness establish nothing more than a record of what that person said.
Record the verbatim statements in precisely the same words used by the witnesses or victims.
When questioning people, be sure to speak with them separately to get individual impressions from each witness.
Absolute honesty in reporting is paramount.
Reports should include the answers to as many of the following questions as you can provide.
In addition to field notes, a daily log should also be maintained.
Police reports are used to allocate resources, inform policy changes, support investigations, and provide information to other agencies.
When a police report is being prepared, all of your notes, evidence, and exhibits should be presented in a logical sequence and in the same order as in your police report.
Police reports should include all relevant information, even information that could have a negative effect on the investigation.
A police report should be simple, brief, descriptive, factual, and to the point.
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