UNIT III: Introduction to
Police Writing
Introduction
Police report is one of the basic requirements for polices. It is one of the factors that the student should evaluate and rethink of when entering the criminology course. So, to grant the needs for report writing, this unit introduces you to help you know the basic procedures and methods in police writing. This could broaden your knowledge on how the police reports should be made and what should not be done.
Objectives
The unit aims to show the proper selection and usage of police terms and phraseologies, to understand more the structure of paragraphs and to be able to make abasic police report that is well constructed and sequenced.
Lesson 1: Selection and Use of Words
For the proper selection and use of words, the student should have a proper knowledge of the different terms used. With this, one can make a sentence or a paragraph with proper understanding and less confusion.
COMMONLY USED POLICE TERMS AND PHRASEOLOGIES
1. accident
an unfortunate mishap
2. acquainted
having fair knowledge of
3. adjacent
having a common boundary or edge
4. affidavit
written declaration made under oath
5. aggravated
made more severe or intense especially in law
6. alibi
proof that someone accused of a crime could not have done it
7. alleged
doubtful or suspect
8. ambulance
a vehicle that takes people to and from hospitals
9. analysis
abstract separation of a whole into its constituent parts
10. angle
the space between two lines or planes that intersect
11. arraign
accuse of a wrong or an inadequacy
12. arrest
take into custody
13. autopsy
an examination and dissection of a dead body
14. battery
a collection of related things intended for use together
15. burglary
entering a building unlawfully intending to commit a felony
16. caliber
diameter of a tube or gun barrel
17. cocaine addict
a person addicted to cocaine
18. collision
an accident resulting from violent impact of a moving object
19. concealed
not accessible to view
20. continuing
remaining in force or being carried on without letup
21. controlling
able to control or determine policy
22. contusion
an injury in which the skin is not broken
23. coroner
an official who investigates death not due to natural causes
24. corroborate
give evidence for
25. counterfeit
not genuine; imitating something superior
26. culprit
someone or something responsible for harm or wrongdoing
27. curfew
an order that after a certain time activities are prohibited
28. delinquent
a young offender
29. deterrent
something immaterial that interferes with action or progress
30. maintenance
activity involved in keeping something in good working order
31. malicious
having the nature of threatening evil
32. mischievous
naughtily or annoyingly playful
33. miscellaneous
having many aspects
34. mischief
reckless or malicious behavior causing annoyance in others
35. misdemeanor
a crime less serious than a felony
36. obstruct
block passage through
37. omission
leaving out or passing over something
38. opinion
a personal belief or judgment
39. paralyze
cause to be immobile
40. prescription
the action of issuing authoritative rules or directions
41. prevalent
most frequent or common
42. probable cause
(law) evidence sufficient to warrant an arrest or search and seizure
43. prosecute
conduct legal proceedings against a defendant
44. protruding
extending out above or beyond a surface or boundary
45. pursuit
the act of following in an effort to overtake or capture
46. quarrel
an angry dispute
47. recurrence
happening again, especially at regular intervals
48. rendezvous
a meeting planned at a certain time and place
49. resisting arrest
physical efforts to oppose a lawful arrest
50. restitution
the act of restoring something to its original state
51. resuscitation
reviving a person and returning them to consciousness
52. ridiculous
incongruous or absurd
53. scarcely
only a very short time before
54. disheveled
in disarray; extremely disorderly
55. disorderly
lacking any regular or logical organization
56. disturbance
activity that is a malfunction, intrusion, or interruption
57. embezzlement
the fraudulent appropriation of funds or property
58. erratic
liable to sudden unpredictable change
59. exhaust
wear out completely
60. farthest
most remote in space or time or order
61. felonious
involving or being or having the nature of a crime
62. fondle
touch or stroke lightly in a loving or endearing manner
63. forcible
impelled by physical force especially against resistance
64. fugitive
someone who is sought by law officers
65. handicapped
incapable of functioning as a consequence of injury or illness
66. harassed
troubled persistently especially with petty annoyances
67. homicide
the killing of a human being by another human being
68. hysterical
characterized by a state of violent mental agitation
69. illicit
contrary to accepted morality or convention
70. indictment
an accusation of wrongdoing
71. innocence
the state of being unsullied by sin or moral wrong
72. interfering
intrusive in a meddling or offensive manner
73. interrogation
an instance of questioning
74. irrational
not consistent with or using reason
75. laceration
the act of tearing irregularly
76. schedule
a list of times at which things are planned to occur
77. seizure
the taking possession of something by legal process
78. sergeant
a noncommissioned officer ranking above a corporal
79. siege
an action of an armed force that surrounds a fortified place
80. significance
the quality of being important
81. silhouette
a filled-in drawing of the outline of an object
82. specimen
a bit of tissue or fluid taken for diagnostic purposes
83. subpoena
a writ issued to compel the attendance of a witness
84. subsidiary
functioning in a supporting capacity
85. suicide
the act of killing yourself
86. superstitious
showing ignorance of the laws of nature and faith in magic
87. surveillance
close observation of a person or group
88. suspicious
openly distrustful and unwilling to confide
89. swerve
turn sharply; change direction abruptly
90. thieve
take unlawfully; steal
91. thirtieth
position 30 in a countable series of things
92. transient
lasting a very short time
93. traumatic
psychologically painful
94. vandalize
destroy wantonly, as through acts of vandalism
95. vehicular
relating to or intended for motor transport
96. vicinity
a surrounding or nearby region
97. warrant
formal and explicit approval
The terms mentioned above can be used to enhance the student’s comprehension for the report writing. With these, you can formulate sentences and paragraphs with the terms that is more suited to your degree which is criminology.
Site suggestions: Common police abbreviations and terminologies- http://mundotopiaxxi.blogspot.com/2004/11/commonly-used-police-abbreviations-and.html
Activity 1.1
Grab a partner. Imagine yourselves as police officers. Have a conversation as formal as possible using the terms above. Make police situations and use the terms for your conversation.
Activity 1. 2
Group yourselves to five. Everyone should share a situation that requires them to use the terms. The group will have to pick one situation. Act it in front of the class the next meeting.
Exercise 1
Encircle the correct answer.
1. A formal and explicit approval.
a. Warrant b. Surveillancec. Swerved. Fugitive
2. The act of killing yourself is called:
a. Burglaryb. Suicidec. Homicided. Murder
3. It is a proof that someone accused of a crime could not have done it:
a. Analysisb. Alibic. Warrantd. Fugitive
4. It is the process of examining and dissecting a dead body.
a.Laceration b. Autopsyc.Homicided. Interrogation
5. It is a written declaration which is made under oath.
a. Swerveb. Illicitc. Surveillance d. Affidavit
6. A writ issued to compel the attendance of a witness.
a. Subpoenab. Affidavitc. Warrantd. Analysis
7. It is the act of taking the suspect into custody.
a. Transientb. Arrestc. Subsidiaryd. Siege
8. The taking possession of something by legal process:
a. Siegeb. Arrestc. Allege d. Seizure
9. Troubled persistently especially with petty annoyances:
a. Suspectb. Harassedc. Fugitived. Sergeant
10. A noncommissioned officer ranking above a corporal:
a. Sergeantb. Generalc. Coloneld. Police officer
11. Someone who is sought by law officers:
a. Criminalb. Thiefc. Fugitived. Suspect
12. The state of being unsullied by sin or moral wrong
a. Indictmentb. Innocencec. Guiltyd. Fondle
13. It is the act of unlawfully entering a building intending to commit a felony:
a. Murderb. Kidnappingc. Burglaryd. Rape
14. Incapable of functioning as a consequence of injury or illness:
a. Harassedb. Paralyzedc. Traumatizedd. Handicapped
15. The killing of a human being by another human being is called:
a. Murderb. Burglaryc. Homicided. Suicide
1.A 2.B 3.B 4.B 5.D 6.A 7.B 8.D 9.B 10.A 11.C 12.B 13.C 14.D 15.C
Lesson 2: Paragraph Structure
In report writing, the fundamental unit of composition is the paragraph. A paragraph consists of several sentences that are grouped together. This group of sentences together discuss one main subject. A paragraph got three principle parts, these are the:
topic sentence body/ supporting sentences, and concluding sentence
TOPIC SENTENCE
A topic sentence usually comes at the beginning of a paragraph; that is, it is usually the first sentence in a formal academic paragraph.Not only is a topic sentence the first sentence of a paragraph, but, more importantly, it is the most general sentence in a paragraph. What does "most general" mean? It means that there are not many details in the sentence, but that the sentence introduces an overall idea that you want to discuss later in the paragraph.
For example,
Serena was hit by a private vehicle resulting to major injuries. Last Tuesday night, Serena was about to buy something in a convenience store until a black Mercedes Benz drove to her that made her fly her way to the other side of the road.The driver claimed himself to be innocent and blamed Serena for crossing through green lights. But then proved that he was drunk and found guilty. Serena is currently on bed-rest, waiting for her recovery.
The underlined sentence is the topic sentence. It introduces the whole paragraph and is focused to the focal point of the composition.
BODY/ SUPPORTING SENTENCES
The body/ supporting sentences mainly supports the topic sentence.
Using the first example,
Serena was hit by a private vehicle resulting to major injuries.Last Tuesday night, Serena was about to buy something in a convenience store until a black Mercedes Benz drove to her that made her fly her way to the other side of the road. The driver claimed himself to be innocent and blamed Serena for crossing through green lights. But then proved that he was drunk and found guilty. Serena is currently on bed-rest, waiting for her recovery.
The underlined sentences are the supporting sentences. It is the details of the first sentence which is the topic sentence. This suggests the events happened before and after what happened in the topic sentence. It gives specifications and information that could support the topic.
CONCLUDING SENTENCE
In formal paragraphs you will sometimes see a sentence at the end of the paragraph which summarizes the information that has been presented. This is the concluding sentence. You can think of a concluding sentence as a sort of topic sentence in reverse.
Using the first example again,
Serena was hit by a private vehicle resulting to major injuries. Last Tuesday night, Serena was about to buy something in a convenience store until a black Mercedes Benz drove to her that made her fly her way to the other side of the road. The driver claimed himself to be innocent and blamed Serena for crossing through green lights. But then proved that he was drunk and found guilty. Serena is currently on bed-rest, waiting for her recovery.
The ending concluded the whole paragraph.
Activity 2.1
Search for paragraphs in the magazines, books, or internet. Underline once the topic sentence, highlight the supporting sentences, and underline
twice the concluding sentence. If the whole class is finished, do a big circle with small circle inside.
Share your paragraph with the person in front of you and explain why it is the topic, the supporting, and the concluding.
After that, move counter clock-wise and share until you’re facing the same person again as the first time.
Activity 2.2
Choose a partner from your classmates and have a 5 to 10-minute review about the lessons that were tackled.
After reviewing, both of you should create your own paragraph. After creating your paragraph, give it to your partner and let him/ her check your
paragraph.
Exercise 1
Listed below are examples of topic sentences. Make 2-3 supporting sentences to support the topic and one concluding sentence.
1. Charmaine is caught plagiarizing a book.2. Peter is caught shoplifting in a department store.3. Gazelle is accused for adultery.4. Leo was found guilty for harassing a woman.5. Steven is sent to the principal’s office for bullying.
Exercise 2
Distinguish the topic sentence, the supporting/ body sentences and the concluding sentence.
1. Kim was caught stealing. Last Saturday, the boutique owner caught Kim, under surveillance camera, stealing make-up products. Her face is printed and pasted in front of the boutique as a caution. Kim is guilty and surrendered herself to the officials. The owner didn’t imprison her for her honesty. She’s just asked to give everything she stole back. Kim regretted her wrong doing and promised to never do it again.
I. Topic Sentence: _________________________________________________.
II. Supporting Sentences: ____________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.
III. Concluding Sentence: ___________________________________________.
2. Cynthia is found dead in her room. Cynthia was said to be battling depression and anxiety. One afternoon, Cynthia’s mother caught her crying and she approached her. Her mother stated that it caught her off guard hearing her daughter say sorry while crying. She didn’t know what she’s apologizing for. Later that day, while trying to convince her daughter to eat, she opened the door to her room. She’s found dead by her mother with blood surrounding her and a blade in her hand.
I. Topic Sentence: _________________________________________________.
II. Supporting Sentences: ____________________________________________ ___________________________________________ ____________________________________________ ____________________________________________.
III. Concluding Sentence: ___________________________________________.
Depends on the student’s paragraph construction
1. I. Topic Sentence: Kim was caught stealing.
II. Supporting Sentences: Last Saturday, the boutique owner caught Kim, under surveillance camera, stealing make-up products. Her face is printed and pasted in front of the boutique as a caution. Kim is guilty and surrendered herself to the officials. The owner didn’t imprison her for her honesty. She’s just
asked to give everything she stole back.
III. Concluding Sentence: Kim regretted her wrong doing and promised to never do it again.
2. I. Topic Sentence: Cynthia is found dead in her room.
II. Supporting Sentences: Cynthia was said to be battling depression and anxiety. One afternoon, Cynthia’s mother caught her crying and she approached her. Her
mother stated that it caught her off guard hearing her daughter say sorry while crying. She didn’t know what she’s apologizing for. Later that day, while trying to convince her daughter to eat, she opened the door to her room.
III. Concluding Sentence: She’s found dead by her mother with blood surrounding her and a blade in her hand.
Lesson 3: Sequencing of Events
Before this, you were able to understand more on the parts of a paragraph. Now, to fill the gaps, you will be able to know how to sequence the events to make a topic sentence, body sentences and a concluding sentence.
To obtain a proper report, proper sequencing of events should be observed. This helps it to be more precise and less confusing. This is to order the ideas or events and not to make it look messy and unbelievable.
Sequencing refers to the identification of the components of a story or event — the beginning, middle, and end — and also to the ability to retell the events within a given text in the order in which they occurred.
To have an effective sequencing of events, one must know enough words that could help you write a good sequence paragraph or report. Here are some:
Order Time
first, second, third, etc. recently
in the beginning previously
before afterwards
then when
after after
Finally
at last
subsequently
Figure 1.1
The next thing that you should keep in mind is keeping every important details in mind. If possible, you should jot them down so you could not miss any significant event.
Example:
Karen got assaulted by a man. First, she was walking fast in the dark space to go to the Target mall. Before she could enter the mall, a man grabbed her wrist and led her to the dark, quiet place. Then, he tightened his grip and covered her mouth with his palm. When he was about to grip her other hand, she grabbed her pepper spray and sprayed straightly to his eyes. After that, she ran directly to the police station, weeping. The assailant is then caught and imprisoned.
This example used the sequence as a support to the topic sentence. It used some of the words mentioned above that helps for a good sequencing. The paragraph also possesses a great sequence of details which is not too less and not too much. It contains with just the necessary events that could support the topic sentence.
Activity 3.1
In a sheet of paper, jot down your daily major activities from waking up to sleeping in a bullet form.
After that, find a partner and exchange your papers. Transform the bulleted form to a paragraph by supplying and inserting the terms above
(Figure 1.1) Study his/her work on your paper. Check and correct each other’s product.
Activity 3.2
Group yourselves to 5-7 members. The teacher will show you pictures of different crime scenes. Formulate events that probably caused the crime. Use the common police terminologies. Sequence the events. Basing on the correct paragraph structure, gather the events and write it in a paragraph
form. Write it on a cartolina with the picture at the top. Present it creatively to the whole class.
Exercise 3.1
Choose the correct sequencing of events. Encircle the correct answer.
1. A- The school premises then assured speedy actions and traced the sender of the texts.
B- It was sending her threats of ruining her school reputation.
C- A student allegedly received a text from someone.
D- After days of proper searching, it is then found out that it was a girl.
E- The girl is now suspended from school for a month.
a. ABCDEb. DCBAEc. CBADEd. BCADE
2. A-Afterwards, the suspect is sued and imprisoned.
B- A 22-year old woman was stabbed on a Saturday night.
C- A couple of days later, the suspect was found.
D-After getting out from the hospital, the woman was asked to describe the man to sketch it.
E-Officers interviewed a number of witnesses and searched the area, but did not locate the suspect.
a. DCBAEb. BADCEc. ECABDd. BEDCA
3. A- The annulment is still on hold.
B- Wincy was alleged to be committing adultery.
C- Her husband, Duke, caught her with a man in a famous hotel.D- Duke didn’t believe her and pushed through an annulment.
E- Wincy defended and said that it was an acquaintance.
a. BCEDAb. CDBAE
c. EACBDd. ADEBC
4. A- A woman was approached by the suspect in the parking lot of Walgreens.
B-A short time later the victim is driving and sees the suspect in a nearby parking lot.
C-The victim flees the area and calls the police.
D-He drives up to the suspect and demands his necklace back, but the suspect pulled out a pistol and pointed to her.
E- The suspect snatched a gold chain from the neck of the victim and fled.
a. ECBDAb. BDACEc. AEBDCd. ADCBE
5. A- An officer was on the East Service Road diverting the traffic from further travel.
B- Then, he immediately signalled the driver to stop and to exit the car. But the car driver did not do what he was asked to do.
C- While diverting, the officer was informed about the terrorist attack earlier in the day.
C- After hours, the officer found a car with similar plate number as the one in the terrorist attack.
D- The officer is then forced to open the car door and force the driver physically to come with him to the police station.
a. BCDAEb. ADBECc. ACDBEd. EDABC
Exercise 3.2
Fill in the blank with the number that corresponds to its proper sequence.
1. Attempted Sexual Assault
____ Next, she ran terrified and called a police officer with a shaking hand.____ A girl was nearly assaulted in a quiet part of the city.____ Then the girl tried to struggle herself out.____The girl is said to be going to her night shift when a man was waiting for her in a very dark place.____ He was about to rip her clothes out when a man shouts from a distant.____The man attacked her and hugged her from the back.____ Afterwards, the girl took advantage of the moment and bit the ear of the assailant. ____ The police arrived and took care of the girl and the man.
2. Robbery
____ He is told by the resident that he didn't order the pizza.
____ A pizza delivery man responds to an address in the 6300 block of
Hammersly Rd.
____ Afterwards, The suspects battered the delivery driver and stole the pizza and some cash.
____The suspects then fled on foot.
____As the driver is walking back to his car, he is attacked by the two suspects.
1. A2. D3. A4. C5. C
1. 7-1-4-2-5-3-6-82. 2-1-4-5-3