How to Write a Police Report on Battery
In addition to protecting the public, writing reports is a major part of a law enforcement officer's job. When investigating a battery complaint or any other crime, a police officer has to draft a report that makes it clear to the court why a suspect has been charged. Follow these tips for writing a thorough police report on a battery case.
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Instructions
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Provide response time and location. Indicate what led you to the scene, such as being dispatched, observing an incident or a victim approaching you. State the time the complaint initiated, as well as time of arrival on the scene. State the complete address where the case originated, along with any subsequent addresses involved.
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List names of all involved. Provide the full name, age, birthdate and contact information for the alleged victim, suspect and witnesses. Give description of the suspect's clothing and appearance. If he has fled the scene, state vehicle description and other details on potential whereabouts.
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Describe how battery occurred. Reference your state's legal definition of battery. Explain in detail how you arrived at the conclusion that battery had actually occurred. If a man at the residence struck a woman with a lamp, state specifically where the lamp was located, where she was struck, and how many times. Detail any injuries sustained and if photographs were taken for the case file.
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Provide witness statements. Give detailed accounts from each witness, along with a narrative on how they came to be at the scene when the alleged crime was committed.
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Detail your response. Answer the four questions - why you were there, what you observed, any actions taken, and how the incident was resolved.
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Use proper grammar. Refrain from stating, "This officer interviewed Jane Smith," when describing your actions. Instead, say, "I interviewed Jane Smith." When describing an item, do not say, "It was gold in color." It is obvious that gold is a color, so just say, "It was gold." Include your full name and title at the beginning and end of the report. Spell check and proofread your report before submitting the final draft.
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