Types of Reports Assignment Week 5

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May 30, 2024

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Types of Reports 1 Types of Reports Brooke Richardson Liberty University CJUS 231: Criminal Justice Report Writing Professor Nathan Tumas February 17, 2024 Introduction

Types of Reports 2 In the course of your duties as a law enforcement officer, you may find yourself responsible for compiling a variety of reports. These reports serve as official documentation of various incidents and are essential for maintaining accurate records. There are seven distinct types of reports that you may need to create, each with its own specific purpose and format. These include Traffic Summons, which are issued to drivers who violate traffic laws; Traffic Crashes, which document any vehicular accidents; Misdemeanor Crimes, which cover minor offenses; Felony Crimes, which involve more serious criminal activity; Domestic Violence Crimes, which detail incidents of domestic abuse; Incident Reports, which provide a comprehensive account of any incidents that occur while you are on duty; and Suspicious Circumstances, which document any unusual or suspicious incidents that you encounter. By understanding and mastering each of these report types, you can ensure that you are fulfilling your duties as a law enforcement officer to the best of your ability. As a law enforcement officer, proper documentation is a crucial aspect of your work. It is essential to create accurate and detailed reports to ensure that all incidents are properly recorded and can be referred to when needed. There are seven distinct types of reports that you may need to create, and each has its own unique purpose. Traffic Summons Reports Traffic summons reports are issued to drivers who have contravened traffic laws, such as exceeding speed limits, running red lights or stop signs, or driving under the influence. These reports contain the driver's personal information, details of the offense committed, and precise date and time of the incident. It is imperative that drivers pay close attention to these reports, as they serve as formal documentation of their infractions and may have legal implications. “The Bureau of Justice Statics 2008 survey revealed that in 2008 traffic stops accounted for more than

Types of Reports 3 43% of the contacts between law enforcement and citizens in the United States. Approximately half of those contacts resulted in a traffic summons or ticket.” (Morris & Merson 2016, pg. 62). Traffic Crash Reports “Every year the lives of approximately 1.19 million people are cut short as a result of a road traffic crash. Between 20 and 50 million more people suffer non-fatal injuries, with many incurring a disability.” (World Health Organization: WHO, 2023). Traffic Crashes reports document any vehicular accidents that occur. The responding officers will gather all relevant information and compile a detailed report that includes the date, time, and location of the crash, as well as the names and contact information of all involved parties, any injuries sustained, and a description of the damage to the vehicles. This report serves as an official record that can be used by insurance companies, legal representatives, and other interested parties for their respective purposes. Misdemeanor Crimes Reports Misdemeanor Crimes reports cover minor offenses, such as shoplifting or disorderly conduct. These reports detail the nature of the offense, the person(s) involved, and any witness statements. The Summons and Complaint form is versatile and can be used for both misdemeanor and petty offenses. However, it should be noted that these forms do not provide as much information and details as a full criminal felony case report. Nonetheless, they usually contain all the necessary information required to include the probable cause affidavit on the reverse side of the summons. “Many states classify misdemeanors, with varying levels of punishment for the different classes. Those schemes typically differentiate types of misdemeanors based on the dollar amount of the loss (property offenses) or the seriousness of the

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Types of Reports 4 injury (bodily crimes against a person). A common approach is to categorize misdemeanors as Class 1, Class 2, Class 3 and Class 4, or, alternatively, Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D.” (GetLegal, 2022). Felony Crime Reports Felony Crimes reports involve more serious criminal activity, such as robbery, assault, or murder. These reports are usually more detailed than misdemeanor reports and may include forensic evidence, witness statements, and any other pertinent information. Felony crime reports are the most detailed and comprehensive case reports that a law enforcement professional has to prepare. These reports must be precise, thorough, and include all the relevant information pertaining to the case. Similar to the summons and complaint forms, the front page of the felony case report form will be used by the agency's records department to access valuable crime data. Domestic Violence Crimes Reports When a crime is committed by family members, officers will use reports. In many states, mandatory arrest is enforced in any domestic violence incident that results in injury. “More than 1 in 3 women and about 1 in 3 men in the United States will experience relationship violence in their lifetime.” (Doorways for Women and Families, 2022). Incident Reports W hen calls for service do not fit into a specific category of criminal cases or other standard case report forms, an incident report is used to record them. Incident reports are versatile and can be used in various situations. They have a similar format to case reports and domestic violence forms and are designed as a pre-printed form that helps gather essential information about the case. Incident Reports provide a comprehensive account of any incidents

Types of Reports 5 that occur while you are on duty. These reports may cover a wide range of events, from disturbances to medical emergencies, and should include as much detail as possible. Suspicious Circumstances Reports Suspicious Circumstances reports document any unusual or suspicious incidents that you encounter. These may include anything from a suspicious package to a potential threat to public safety. These reports are particularly important for identifying potential security risks and ensuring public safety. A suspicious circumstances report is a crucial tool for law enforcement to document and investigate suspicious activity. This report is similar to an incident report but with a key distinction - it could potentially lead to a criminal investigation in the future. Typically, these reports can be recorded on a basic department face sheet or a specific form created for this purpose. The information contained in a suspicious circumstances report can be invaluable to detectives who use it to gather more data before initiating a criminal report. This report serves as a starting point for detectives, who can follow up on the leads and intelligence provided to them. The information gathered from this report could ultimately lead to a criminal prosecution and ensure that justice is served. Conclusion It is essential for law enforcement officers to have a comprehensive understanding of the different reports in order to document incidents accurately. By doing so, it becomes easier to fill out reports with the right information. A clear understanding of these reports can help officers to determine which reports to use in a particular situation, and how to use them effectively. This is important because it can reduce the risk of incorrect documentation, which can lead to confusion and potential legal issues. Therefore, it is crucial for law enforcement officers to receive

Types of Reports 6 adequate training and have access to the necessary resources to ensure that they can use these reports correctly and efficiently. References

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Types of Reports 7 Morris, K., & Merson, M. (2016). Report Writing for Law Enforcement and Corrections Professionals . Pearson Education (US). https://libertyonline.vitalsource.com/books/9780133913347 World Health Organization: WHO. (2023, December 13). Road traffic injuries . https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/road-traffic-injuries GetLegal. (2022, February 16). Misdemeanor Crimes | Examples of Misdemeanors Charges . GetLegal. https://www.getlegal.com/legal-info-center/criminal-law/misdemeanor-crimes/ Doorways for Women and Families. (2022, February 9). Statistics . Doorways. https://www.doorwaysva.org/our-work/education-advocacy/statistics/

Types of Reports Assignment Week 5

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