Maricopa Community Colleges  LET203   20042-20082 
Official Course Description: MCCCD Approval: 11/25/03
LET203 20042-20082 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: Permission of Department or Division.
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MCCCD Official Course Competencies:
 
LET203   20042-20082 Report Writing
1. Identify and describe the steps of communication. (I)
2. Differentiate between an administrative and operational report. (II)
3. List the uses of police reports. (III)
4. Describe the characteristics of a properly prepared report. (IV)
5. List, in chronological order, the steps to follow when writing a report. (V)
6. List the questions every report must answer. (VI)
7. Describe characteristics of field notes. (VII)
8. Differentiate between "fact" and "inference". (VII)
9. Explain the use of notes in the preparation of a police report. (VII)
10. Explain the use of notes as evidence in court. (VII)
11. Describe the format for written reports. (VIII)
12. 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. (IX)
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MCCCD Official Course Outline:
 
LET203   20042-20082 Report Writing
    I. Communication
        A. Definition
        B. Steps
          1. Sender
          2. Message
          3. Receiver
          4. Feedback
      II. Police Reports
          A. Definition
          B. Types
            1. Administrative Reports
            2. Operational Reports
        III. 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
          IV. 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
            V. Steps to Follow When Writing a Report
                A. Gather the Facts
                B. Record the Facts
                C. Write the Report
                D. Evaluate the Report
              VI. Components of a Report
                  A. Who
                  B. What
                  C. Where
                  D. When
                  E. Why
                  F. How
                VII. 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"
                  VIII. Format for Written Reports
                      A. Synopsis
                      B. Body
                      C. Conclusion
                    IX. Writing Scenario
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