Report Writing for Police and Security pt. 1

[@EnfieldScout]

I absolutely love your videos. As a sergeant for the private security company I work for, I'm responsible for training our new officers. During scheduled training days I often use these videos as a reference for training. And many times I will often go back and watch these videos as a refresher course for myself. Thank you for all these incredibly informative and useful videos!

[@JackIsNotInTheBox]

When you try to write a report, but you failed English in high school :(

[@overlordisgoogle8431]

I'm happy this is video is here, because this is a critical skill all LE and Security needs to have.

[@prankmonkey650]

At my former agency I was known to write very detailed reports. Others would write one sentence when they were involved in something. I think the more information relevant included the better.

[@freefieldtraining]

+prankmonkey650 As time goes on more info seems to required in court.

[@sirwhitecrayon2499]

There is such a thing as "too much information". Only put in the information that is pertinent to the case. What happened not what could have happened or may have happened, because anything of this nature could be considered speculation which will get shredded by a defense attorney in court. Remember, anything else realized later can be added as an addendum to the original report or in an affidavit.

[@joeallen2286]

SirWhiteCrayon very true, one could easily screw themselves by trying to provide maximum information only to wind up speculating.

[@lwmy4093]

I'm going to BE the report at the agency I join.

[@kevinponce9561]

@@sirwhitecrayon2499 do you do private tutoring

[@billyxkid5062]

Thank you for making a video like this needed something like this

[@RawkitScientist]

Haha 😂

[@ronlewis9191]

This will help me alot due to the fact of detail and fulness in my reports thank you for this video im still watching your video and making my own references.

[@elviraarriaga1424]

Not a Police Officer but found this video content educational and helpful

[@dschnauzer11]

Love the video. Nobody on my shift wanted to write reports. I loved paperwork, but everything had to be written like the way the supervisor said. And since this was at a campground, we had a visit from the company lawyers on how to write reports to deflect any responsibility of the campground. And they needed photos of everything damage related. I also bought on my own dime small evidence gauges(I guess that what you call them) that could mark the sizes of dents, scratches etc.

[@freefieldtraining]

+Michael Borawski They are called evidence scales I believe. In a pinch a dollar bill works the same.

[@marcojuanta9948]

Thank you for sharing the knowledge, sir!

[@joeyh1049]

I would love to see a video on questioning. I'm an explorer and during our scenarios I also seem blank when asking questions. Thanks in advance.

[@freefieldtraining]

+Joey Hayes I'm working on all sorts of verbal judo, gerbil voodoo, and "talking with folks" videos.

[@AnInnocentLittleBoy]

I haven't watched the video yet, but I'm currently sitting at work with an empty incident report form and Shift Summary. You could not have uploaded this at a more convenient time. Thanks again.

[@freefieldtraining]

+AnInnocentLittleBoy Don't get your hopes up too far, I'm far less articulate on paper than I am on video after two hours of editing. Lol

[@karnage7874]

Very good to get the ball rolling!

[@talktactical464]

well done clear and to the point thank you sir

[@freefieldtraining]

+Talk tactical I try. I was hoping to have this out three months ago.

[@brendatraister3108]

Very informative and to the point. Thanks

[@davidarce4601]

Excellent video..

[@supersavagegodgaming6888]

this is very good

[@royspaulding]

Great video, very informative and to the point. It will help me a great deal when I have to write reports in the future. Ty very much for sharing this information with us.

[@freefieldtraining]

+Roy Spaulding it is my immense pleasure

[@kensaft1523]

The phrasing is normally that a person *takes* pleasure *in* something, and when you want to express being *given* pleasure, you instead use the infinitive instead of gerund form. You can also directly state something pleases you. => It gives me immense pleasure to invite you to a presentation... => It pleases me greatly to invite you to a presentation... (announcing a specific presentation invitation.) => I take pleasure in inviting you to presentations. => I take pleasure in gardening. => I take pleasure in hiking mountains. (in general, as a habit)

[@freefieldtraining]

+Ken Saft I take great pleasure in annoying the crap out of you Ken!

[@bryangrinius7735]

Would you ever recommend someone use a police report templet if they have trouble? I am asking because as a SEO and planing on being a police officer I was recommended to do that by some people.

[@freefieldtraining]

+Bryan Grinius I wouldn't ever use a template for a narrative. Doing so contributes to complacency and limits your ability to think objectively about the case. It is also how guys get themselves in trouble in court.

[@LifeJourneyaboveandbeneath]

Great training

[@BigBrainNicky]

With bodycams and dashcams is report writing even necessary these days?

[@freefieldtraining]

More than ever! Body and dash cams don't catch 90% of what happens and a report takes minutes to read and get a summary of an incident that takes hours to handle. Plus, lots of the stuff I see you don't want to see. Like fat old naked people and dead babies.

[@Accurize2]

BalzToTheWall86 Technology fails. Usually it fails when you need it most. Also, technology cannot read your mind. Nor can it describe the other senses, such as smell and touch, which according to U.S. courts are just as valuable as sight and sound.

[@unix2linux]

@@freefieldtraining You can visit Weaponeye.com for a camera that is put on you pistol or rifle and can record whatever is in front of the barrel of you firearm.

[@BQPhotography07]

One way I handle naming multiple people with the same last name is by putting First Initial last name ex. J. Doe or if the have same initials I use middle initial too

[@crazypolicechasesnow]

Do you have this course for sale?

[@theopautsch2311]

One point of information I think you missed is the type and condition of the post could be important to know what caused the damage

[@freefieldtraining]

The weather could be important too, but we can't add everything and shouldn't add anything that isn't pertinent.

[@Fugee1981]

i work as a security officer since high school & process of time i have learn defferent type of report writing. so ur tips our great tools to use. my LT wants to changs the way i write them entirely which is wrong my personal opinion.

[@channellerodgers6824]

You are so awesome.

[@ernestkant1984]

Thank you

[@pxtrerwah8746]

here 2022 i have learning disability idk how to report as a police officer

[@dc10-85]

Any advice to improve grammar and tenses when writing a report. I'm ESL looking to improve my report writing.

[@freefieldtraining]

+DC10-8 I can barely write as it is, lol. I suggest taking a writing class at a local community College. They could probably place you at the proper level through the new student entrance testing.

[@michaelruiz4074]

as a security officer in the state of Texas I will have to get the responding police officer badge/employee number and case number from there transfer everything on the incident report and in first person cause a security incident report goes to the security office and a copy for the client to allow the client contact know what happens on property and if the security officer has original incident report he can make a copy for the investigators

[@freefieldtraining]

+Michael Ruiz good point about star number. I have to do the same when picking up warrants or other inter-agency activity.

[@elvidoll3404]

Thank you🙏

[@Alknight7]

Question for any former or current officers...... is it common for an officer to tase a person but not include that detail in the report?

[@mystahspaulding8039]

So, just a random question +freefieldtraining wouldn't a non-compliant victim, be subject to prosecution under the guideline of obstruction of investigation/ obstruction of justice? I apologize if I sound ignorant but I'm interested in a LE career and am just naturally curious about everything on the subject

[@freefieldtraining]

+Spalding Thywikked There are some state laws that make it illegal not to identify yourself as a material witness. But, I've never seen a reluctant victim prosecuted. If the crim at question is a personal crime like battery and there is no victim to complain then there can be no crime. Otherwise we would be charging people for what happens at a boxing match.

[@mystahspaulding8039]

free field training thank you sir, that makes sense.

[@TP097]

Can you make a video on the proper or "better" way to handle someone that comes to you while writing a parking or ordinance ticket for that person and starts disputing the ticket in public?

[@freefieldtraining]

+Tony P Everyone does. Don't argue. If you are going to cite then cite and walk/drive away. Expect that at least once in your career you are going to get into a knock down drag out fight over a parking ticket, act accordingly.

[@sirwhitecrayon2499]

I echo that, don't play into the game. Just smile, be assertive and confident, give them the information pertinent to the citation and carry on with business. There is no need for egos and pride of "complimentary behavior" here. "Non-complementary behavior" allows the officer to dictate what direction the conversation goes and if the situation escalates it's not the officer escalating. With people having cell phone cameras recording it is especially important to follow this advice. What I'm getting at is... "don't poke the bear!" :-)

[@TP097]

Thanks

[@freefieldtraining]

+SirWhiteCrayon and don't let people who are tapping on your glass win.

[@sirwhitecrayon2499]

free field training Yeah, that too. lol

[@jimgallagher6215]

Thanks...appreciate the reality.

[@crispers702]

I enjoy your videos really helpful my goal is to become a police officer someday, but my problem I have is with writing and grammar. can you tell me how hard is to make a report and best way to improve my writing?

[@freefieldtraining]

+GhostCrisp86 Reports are only written at a sixth grade level. Normally the issue is getting people to dumb down their language and punctuation, stop using compound sentences and such. There really is no trick.

[@drakeclarkthedpd9013]

Will you make a video with your full duty belt with your vest and unforiom

[@freefieldtraining]

+Drake Clark check out "police duty belt: a closer look". Don't be fooled by the title, it covers the belt, vest, pants and accessories... everything but the shirt, which is frankly just a boring shirt with two patches on it.

[@sirwhitecrayon2499]

Great video!!! I might make a video as an addendum to yours specific to "hospital security report writing". With HIPPA there are specific challenges with privacy vs necessity and just what is too much and what is too little information. That being said below is a basic example of a frequent narrative I would have to write. Also note, we are not allowed to use "I" or "We". "I" being replaced with "R/O" which stands for "Reporting Officer" and "We" with "Responding Officer's". On the above date and time, Reporting Officer #100 Doe, A (R/O) with Responding Officer's #101 Doe, B and #102 Doe, C , responded to assist nursing staff in the emergency department room #1 for patient, Doe, J who was being combative and verbally non-compliant to requests by nursing staff to lay back down in the bed. Upon arrival, R/O along with Responding Officer's observed the patient being combative and verbally non-compliant to officers request to lay back down on the bed. After repeated requests, it was a determined that for the safety of the patient and staff the patient would be placed in five point restraints. R/O, Responding Officer's and Nurse Doe, Jane placed the patient in five point restraints without further incident. All Responding Officer's cleared thereafter. Nothing further to report. End of report.

[@freefieldtraining]

+SirWhiteCrayon I could see where hippa would be a big issue with proprietary security at a hospital. But, you left out the best part! When dude starts screaming "Get this tube out my d***!"

[@sirwhitecrayon2499]

Some take matters into their own hands and rip out the cath. I think "Ouch" is a good word to describe that. lol

[@freefieldtraining]

+SirWhiteCrayon normally it is something like "arrragggghhhahhhhhhh!" "Damn that hurt"

[@ryankingstone8026]

Are you a LEO or security officer?

[@freefieldtraining]

+Ryan Kingstone (Kingstone) I have been a cop for 10-11 years (time sneaks up on you) and have worked security in various capacities for far longer. Still do work security on the side.

[@ryankingstone8026]

Ah, I see. Cool! I'm interested in becoming a Police Officer in Norway. Love your videos.

[@freefieldtraining]

+Ryan Kingstone (Kingstone) Glad you like them. Tell your friends!

[@rjyork2140]

shouldnt the time you recived the call and the time you arrived be in your report?

[@freefieldtraining]

+Rj York That would depend on if it is pertinent to the investigation. If it is a retail theft in custody with loss prevention it is just not pertinent. If it is a homicide that just occurred then it very well may be.

[@petalsofwisdom7631]

dont use abbreviations such as r/o instead spell it out "responding officer".

[@noelgoodell6330]

This is how my Criminal Justice Teacher just told me how to write reports. On Monday, November 19, 2018 I, Sargeant Noel Goodell #7128 was working the 0700-2000 hrs. assigned to the Patrol Division, Platoon B, Squadron 3. On that day I was attired in full uniform assigned to marked patrol car and zone 66. At approximately 0815 hrs. I was dispatched to 707 West Lexington Drive for a burglary. Upon arrival I met with a complainant Thomas D. Havlik and they stated that their residence had been burglarized. Havlik further stated that at 2300 hrs Sunday, November 18, 2018 he left for work. Upon arrival back to his residence Monday, November 19, 2018 around 0800 hrs. he noticed that his front door was opened and had been broken, he entered the residence and was shocked to find his house had been ransacked, he then exited the residence and called 9-1-1. . . . It's not bad but I would like a better way.

[@freefieldtraining]

Lots of guys get themselves into serious trouble using a template to write reports. It's nice to have structure, but every case is different. If your report reads the same you are missing info.

[@noelgoodell6330]

@@freefieldtraining It just seems to lengthy to me. He also wants me to put calling CSI; TOT Invest Squad so forth and so on.

[@freefieldtraining]

How very old school of him. Some departments used to (and probably still do) require those things. But, those are local issues. I never understood why people put "tot investigations". Clearly, that's the whole point of writing the report they all go to investigations if everyone is doing their job correctly.

[@noelgoodell6330]

@@freefieldtraining Right, he's a 12 yr Dep. Sheriff Veteran from I think Yates Co. NY.

[@eldorkpistolero1555]

i kept my report writting simple and straight to the point but I've been my were rude in security. grammar and punctuation isn't my thing.

[@freefieldtraining]

+Dan Vein Spell check is my best friend, trust me!

[@eldorkpistolero1555]

+free field training I'm glass there's a such thing as f7

[@phi9936]

More more more!!!!!

[@elizmclaughlin2414]

can you a video about how to shoot a gun

[@ah64longbow]

You pull the trigger.

[@freefieldtraining]

+SensualLemon *while pointing the hole in the end at what you want to put a hole in.

[@ah64longbow]

+free field training "Place front towards enemy"

[@ah64longbow]

Don't forget to compensate for drag, wind resistance, the earth's rotation, humidity, etc etc

[@freefieldtraining]

+Eliz Mclaughlin Lol, real talk though, shooting is a very tactile perishable skill that dosent translate well to video. Lots of dudes are making videos on how to shoot and most of them, in my humble opinion, are garbage. That is a skill that has to be learned hands on. I am attempting to find a range I can shoot at and film, but the problems with that are many. I am in an urban area and even when I find a range to use the background noise would make any video just "B" roll worthy anyway. I will, and have, though weighed in on areas that are conducive to video and which are applicable to police and security field training like my video "scanning for threats: a real world approach"

[@greatmindsnamibia2555]

If i fail

[@eldorkpistolero1555]

my report writing sucked lol

[@freefieldtraining]

+Dan Vein I'm no Shakespeare myself. I've got a boss who used to be a reporter and he keeps me on my toes!

[@eldorkpistolero1555]

+free field training ahh grammar and punctuation Nazi lol just like my wife she's a writer and special Ed teacher. she gets on my case alot too lol

[@overlordisgoogle8431]

I'm happy this is video is here, because this is a critical skill all LE and Security needs to have.

[@overlordisgoogle8431]

I'm happy this is video is here, because this is a critical skill all LE and Security needs to have.

[@freefieldtraining]

[phone] I'm glad you like it!