How to Write a School Report on Police Officers

To help with your report, consider interviewing a policewoman.

The police force and the people who are a part of it can be a strong topic for a school report. To make it an outstanding report, you will need to do some detective work of your own and find out all you can about police officers before you start writing. If you know someone who is a police officer, ask that person for help. He or she may be able to provide insights into the profession that you won't get anywhere else. Do research at the library and online, and pay a visit to your local police department.

Instructions

1. Start with research. Go to the library and find books about the history of the police force. Ask a librarian to suggest other books that might be helpful. Visit websites dedicated to law enforcement and police issues.

2. Your local police department probably has a website. Go there and learn about the local department. The site may include local police department history as well as information about how many officers are on the force, what their duties are, etc.

3. If possible, interview a a police officer. If you have a family member or friend who is a police officer, he or she will probably be willing to talk. Otherwise, visit your local police department. Explain that you are doing a project for school, and ask if it would be possible to interview an officer.

4. Ask the officer about his daily schedule and his duties. Ask about what training the officer went through before joining the police force. Take notes on the atmosphere of the precinct; and jot down your observations about the officer's personality and appearance.

5. Learn what requirements must be met to become a police officer. Research how police officers are recruited and trained. Ask an officer to explain the elements that must be included in a police report.

6. Compile all your research, and choose a theme for your report. You may choose to focus on a day in the life of an officer or the requirements for joining the police force. Reference your research throughout your paper.

7. Use police-specific vocabulary in your paper. Including words such as "sheriff," "citation," "detain" and "firearms" helps to convey the depth of your research.

References

• Police Writers
• Student Help Center -- Police Report Writing Template
• Becoming a Police Officer: Police Report Writing
• What Is a Policeman?
• The Free Dictionary: police constable

Resources

• The Role of Police in American Society: A Documentary History," by Bryan Vila