Maricopa Community Colleges  LET203   20016-20036 
Official Course Description: MCCCD Approval: 06/26/01
LET203 20016-20036 LEC 2 Credit(s) 2 Period(s)
Report Writing
Overview of types and parts of reports. Includes elements of composition; characteristics of reports; substance; conclusions; statistics; accurate and complete descriptions of persons and property; and the importance of notes, their preservation, and final use. Prerequisites: Departmental approval.
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MCCCD Official Course Competencies:
 
LET203   20016-20036 Report Writing
1. Differentiate between an administrative and operational report. (I)
2. List the uses of police reports. (II)
3. Describe the characteristics of a properly prepared report. (III)
4. List, in chronological order, the steps to follow when writing a report. (IV)
5. List the questions every report must answer. (V)
6. Describe characteristics of field notes. (VI)
7. Differentiate between "fact" and "inference". (VI)
8. Explain the use of notes in the preparation of a police report. (VI)
9. Explain the use of notes as evidence in court. (VI)
10. Describe the format for written reports. (VII)
11. Given a scenario in written, verbal, or visual form, demonstrate the ability to record clear, concise, and accurate notes and correctly complete a police report on the following types of criminal investigations: assault, burglary, criminal damage, domestic violence, narcotics violation, sexual assault, theft and shoplifting. (VIII)
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MCCCD Official Course Outline:
 
LET203   20016-20036 Report Writing
    I. Police Reports
        A. Definition
        B. Types
          1. Administrative Reports
          2. Operational Reports
      II. Uses of a Police Report
          A. Document Criminal and Traffic Activity
          B. Provide Information to Follow-Up Officers
          C. Refresh Memory for Court Proceedings
          D. Compiling Statistics
            1. Uniform Crime Report
            2. Manpower Allocations
            3. Identify Crime Trends
            4. Determining Budget Needs
          E. Gathering and Disseminating Intelligence Within the Criminal Justice System
        III. Characteristics of a Properly Prepared Report
            A. Factual
            B. Accurate
            C. Objective
            D. Complete
            E. Concise
            F. Clear
            G. Mechanically Correct
            H. Legible and on Time
          IV. Steps to Follow When Writing a Report
              A. Gather the Facts
              B. Record the Facts
              C. Organize the Facts
              D. Write the Report
              E. Evaluate the Report
            V. Components of a Report
                A. Who
                B. What
                C. Where
                D. When
                E. Why
                F. How
              VI. Note Taking
                  A. Purpose and Value
                  B. The Note Taking Process
                    1. Characteristics of Good Field Notes
                    2. Conduct a Proper Inquiry
                    3. Record all Relevant Information
                  C. Accuracy
                  D. Outlines
                  E. Notes of Evidence
                  F. "Fact" vs. "Inference"
                VII. Format for Written Reports
                    A. Synopsis
                    B. Body
                    C. Conclusion
                  VIII. Writing Scenario
                      A. Assaults
                      B. Burglary
                      C. Criminal Damage
                      D. Domestic Violence
                      E. Narcotics Departmental Report
                      F. Sexual Assault
                      G. Theft/Shoplifting
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