Criminal Justice 2011
Chapter 1:
Why We Write
Police Reports
Class Name,
Instructor Name
Date, Semester
Why We Write Police Reports
• Background
• Police reports document the history of law enforcement
• Records Management Systems
•Uniform Crime Reporting Program
•National Incident Based Reporting System
•New York State Incident-Based Reporting Program
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The Mechanics of Writing
•
•
•
•
•
3
Fill in the blanks
Check the boxes
Bubble in System
Optical Character Recognition
Narrative
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Report Writing Technology
Two primary types:
4
1.
Computers
2.
Dictation using recording devices
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Computers
What is out there…
• Fixed Terminals vs. Lap Tops
• Special Features
Templates
Forced Choices
Pull Down Menus
Grammar Check
Spell Check
Touch Screen
5
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Optical Character Recognition
G. Tauschek in 1929
• Translates scanned images of handwritten or typewritten words
into computer editable text
• Useful and effective in entering data into Records Management
Systems
• Better developed tor typewritten text and reports
• Not so much for printed or cursive handwriting
6
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Dictation
Two components:
1. Dictating
•
Voice Dictation
•
Person To Person Dictating
2. Transcribing
7
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Dictation
Benefits of Dictating
8
•
Saves time
•
Final product is usually neater more user friendly
•
Use with Automated Reporting Systems
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Dictation
Problems with Dictation
• Poorly maintained equipment
• Loss of power or weak batteries
• Background noise
• Lack of framework for the report
• Poor cadence and speech by the dictator
9
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Automated Reporting Systems
Department Synergies
• Rarely Stand Alone
• Connect to Dispatch
• Connect to Automated Records Management
• Cost Effective
• Training required for effectiveness
10
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Approval Process
Approval Systems
•
Hand written reports to supervisor
•
On-line systems accessed electronically
Centralized Approval
•
Specially trained group of officers and supervisors
•
Rapid and direct training when needed
•
Cadre of experts
•
Frees up other supervisors
11
© 2012 by Pearson Higher Education, Inc
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Need for Effective Writing
• Not all programs get the job done
• Not all students are created equal
• Negative reinforcement of training
• Report writing genealogy
• Lack of consistency among supervisors
• Law enforcement free agency
• Trial by fire
12
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CHAPTER SUMMARY
1.1
The International Association of Chiefs of Police established the
Uniform Crime Reporting System in 1929
1.2
The FBI is charged with managing the collection of crime
statistics for the eight Part I Crimes
1.3
The National Incident Based Reporting System is an attempt to
expand the value of the uniform crime reports by including
detailed information on an expanded set of crimes
1.4
It takes two or more people to have an effective dictation
process
© 2012 by Pearson Higher Education, Inc
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CHAPTER SUMMARY
1.5
Automated reporting systems almost always depend on
supporting systems such as computer aided dispatch and
automated records management
1.6
A solid report review and correction process is key to a
successful report writing program
1.7
Knowing how to write is key to learning how to write a police
report
1.8
A customized spelling cheat sheet is a better option than a
dictionary.
© 2012 by Pearson Higher Education, Inc
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All Rights Reserved