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How Much Do You Know about Writing Police Reports?

Challenge yourself by choosing the correct answer to the 10 questions below. Answers and explanations are posted at this link: http://www.scribd.com/doc/171837465/Police-Report-Writing-Answer-Key 1. Officer Jones included this passive-voice sentence in a report: Muddy footprints were seen on the kitchen floor. His sentence: a) demonstrates that he was objective and truthful. b) fails to state who saw the muddy footprints. c) is ungrammatical. d) should be omitted from his report. 2. a) b) c) d) Which word is spelled correctly? alright definately seperate occasion

3. Which statement is most appropriate for a police report? a) Mrs. Smith advised me that she returned home at about 3:15. b) I ascertained that Thompson had been at work all morning. c) I smelled alcohol on Weigels breath. d) I advised Chan to go to the hospital to get treatment for the cut. 4. Which sentence is grammatically correct? a) The principal invited Officer Patel and me to speak at a school assembly next week. b) Chief Rosenberg gave the new directives to she and her assistant for review. c) Me and my partner have established a good working relationship. d) Finding time to work out in the exercise room is a challenge for Robert and I. 5. Which sentence is grammatically correct? a) Theres many reasons why officers need to stay fit. b) A small group of teenagers are interested in forming an Explorers Club at the high school. www.YourPoliceWrite.com

2 c) Each of the parents agrees that the curfew is a good idea. d) Neither the parents nor their son have an explanation for what happened. 6. Which sentence is grammatically correct? a) Her uniform lost one of its buttons. b) Ill let you know when its time to leave for the meeting. c) The cafeteria is expanding both its menu and hours. d) Campbells dog bared its teeth and growled when I stepped onto the porch. 7. Which sentence is most appropriate for a police report? a) This officer questioned the abovementioned witness about the gunshots. b) I found no scrapes or pry marks on the kitchen windows. c) All three individual homeowners told me that their respective dogs had not barked during the previous night. d) Lindemann said the suspect was wearing a long-sleeved shirt that was green in color. 8. Which sentence is grammatically correct? a) Vinh was feeling sick yesterday, however today hes better. b) My patrol car is in the shop, it needs a new starter. c) I interviewed Williams; my partner interviewed his wife. d) Because Carole enjoys working with children; shes planning to become a school resource officer. 9. Which sentence uses capital and lower-case letters correctly? a) The High Schools in our county are reporting less gang activity this year. b) Mrs. Santos said that her Mother had been missing for two days. c) Reports of criminal mischief usually increase during the Summer months. d) The church is collecting food donations to distribute to needy families at Thanksgiving. 10. Which of these sentences uses an apostrophe correctly? a) I questioned the childrens grandmother. b) Both womens cars were damaged in the accident. c) The Johnsons live in an apartment on the second floor. d) Ben Reynolds hands shook during the entire interview.

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