Chapter Eleven Basic Law Enforcement Activities Report Writing

Chapter Eleven Basic Law Enforcement Activities

Report Writing • Field Notes Intended to aid in memory Aids in investigations Helps develop leads on information Aids in court testimony, or as evidence that a statement or action occurred that was immediately recorded – Good field notes lead to good report writing and follow up and more complete investigation – –

Report Forms • All law enforcement agencies provide forms that indicate what information is needed and in what format the information is presented. – Use the correct forms – Fill out completely and legibly

Report Format • All reports should include the following information: – Case number – Date of occurrence – Status of the case: active, inactive, cleared, complete, unfounded, etc. – Name, rank, and ID of investigating officer – Crime or activity classification – Persons involved – Narrative – Official action taken, and final status of report The officer’s home address and phone number are never included in the report.

Report Organization • Primary purpose of reports: – Preserve information – Record official actions – Justify those actions – Aid in further investigations • POWER format: – – – Planning the report Organizing the material Writing the report Evaluate Rewrite

Use of Emergency Equipment • • “Code three, or 10 -39” – Use of emergency lights or siren Utah law, agency policy, and restrictions: – Utah law states to be exempted from some traffic laws an emergency vehicle must operate with at least emergency lights or siren – Driving “code three” is restricted by agency policy and Utah law – Upon observing an emergency vehicle running “code three”, civilian drivers are required to pull to the right side of the road and stop – During emergency driving, most departments allow the officer to exceed the speed limit and proceed through red lights, but never drive the wrong way on a street Situations that dictate “code three” driving: – Assisting peace officers in trouble – Details where lives are endangered – Ambulance calls for serious injuries, or medical emergencies(choking babies, or criminal activity may be involved such as shootings. ) – Injury accidents – Crimes in progress – Pursuit driving Discretion and safety is a key element when using emergency equipment.

Pursuit Driving • • deferred to as the pursuit of a criminal or traffic offender. Starting a pursuit: Re – Notify dispatcher immediately giving complete vehicle description, reason for chase, number of occupants, and information about location, speed, and direction of travel _ An officer involved in any pursuit should be able to demonstrate that he/she tried to slow down the chase Stopping or ending a pursuit: – Ego is never considered – Shooting out tires should not be a resort – Safety for the public and yourself is always priority one Many officers are killed in traffic related accidents as there are in the other activities that the officer is involved in, so discretion and safety are key elements to pursuit driving.

Command Structure • Most law enforcement agencies are organized along military lines. • Law enforcement agencies are divided into divisions for the following reasons: – To prevent duplication of services – To create efficiency – To develop expertise – NOT to make the agency larger • Orders and communications must proceed in a prescribed manner within the chain of command, and they must be obeyed. • Disobedience of a direct order given by a superior officer is grounds for disciplinary action or even dismissal.

Radio Procedure • Governed by departmental policy and common sense. • Used to transmit and receive information. • All radio transmissions are preceded by the calling unit’s identifying number(car number). • Three beeps on the unit’s radio means emergency information will proceed. • Use of ten code(10 -code) is used for shortened radio traffic, and transmission security.

• Commonly used ten code(10 -code) transmissions: – 10 -4: acknowledgement or OK – 10 -20: current location – 10 -21: make a phone call – 10 -27: driver’s license check – 10 -28: vehicle registration check – 10 -29: warrants check – 10 -33: officer needs help quick – 10 -40: no lights or siren used – 10 -41: on-duty – 10 -42: off-duty – 10 -50: traffic accident – 10 -60: out on traffic violator • Always know what you are going to say when you pick up the microphone, and common sense goes a long way when transmitting on the radio.

Use of Force • Use of force in making an arrest is set forth in state law, and must at all times be reasonable. • Any use of force needs to be documented in an initial report. • All road blocks(if used) must have an escape route even if it is a dangerous one.

• Force levels: – – – – Force Levels Mere presence Verbal commands Hands-on(physical contact) Pepper spray Impact weapons K-9 Deadly force

Use of Firearms • Police carry firearms so they can protect themselves and the community. • They may only be used under a very specific set of circumstances outlined in law. • The firearm will not be removed from the holster except for use, inspection, or storage. Never removed for show and tell to others.

Use of Firearms cont. • Officers can only carry firearms authorized by the department. • Officers must remain qualified on those firearms if carried. • Pistol proficiency course(PPC) is a timed and scored shoot on a known distance range. This is common training for all firearms qualifications.

Deadly Force • Deadly force can only be used under the following circumstances: – Carrying out lawful execution – To protect self and others – To make arrest or stop escape of someone when there is probable cause to believe a significant threat of death or serious physical injury exists – To prevent the escape of some prisoners • Using deadly force is a split-second decision.

Combat Shooting • • The firing of a weapon from a protective position or cover. Procedures utilized for combat shooting(firearms related): – Drawing – Grip – Stance – Cover – Breathing – Sighting – Trigger-pull – Scan area