It's important to know the four categories of criminal justice reports.

1. CRIMINAL JUSTICE REPORT
WRITING
THE HOW AND WHY
Part 5
Types of Police Reports

2. CRIMINAL JUSTICE REPORT
WRITING
THE HOW AND WHY
Part 5
Types of Police Reports

3. You should familiarize yourself with four
categories of criminal justice reports:
 Type 1: Officer records information: no
action is taken
 Type 2: Officer records information and
takes action (investigation, arrest)
 Type 3: Officer becomes part of the
scenario (such as pursuing or subduing a
suspect)
 Type 4: Officer is the initiator (sees, hears
something suspicious and gets involved)

4. In Types 1, 2, and 3, the officer is usually
dispatched to the scene.
In Type 4, the officer makes the decision
to become involved after seeing or
hearing something suspicious. Probable
cause MUST be included in Type 4
reports.

5. Knowing these 4 Types…
 simplifies report writing
 gives you a template to work with
 alerts you about the special requirements for
each type of report
 ensures you won’t miss anything important

6. Type 1 Reports
 simplest to write
 officer records what happened
 incident reports fall into this category
 no law, statute, or regulation has been
broken
 report may be useful later if there are
further developments

7. Type 2 Reports
 officer takes action: investigation, arrest
 officer is usually dispatched to the scene
 officer thoroughly reports results of
investigation, even when negative (may
be useful later)
 disposition of evidence and suspect
important

8. Type 3 Reports
 officer becomes part of the scenario,
such as pursuing or subduing a suspect
 all other requirements still apply: explain
arrival at the scene, results of
investigation, disposition of evidence
and suspect

9. Type 4 Reports
 officer initiates action: sees or hears
something suspicious and decides to get
involved
 traffic stops are generally Type 4 reports
 probable cause is essential
 all other requirements still apply: explain
arrival at the scene, results of
investigation, disposition of evidence
and suspect

10. To Learn More:
Criminal Justice Report Writing is available in
softcover ($17.95) from www.Amazon.com and in a
variety of ebook and Apple formats (Kindle, Nook,
SONY etc.) for $11.99 from www.Smashwords.com.
Read a free sample online!

11. Find FREE report writing
resources online at
www.YourPoliceWrite.com