What is Police Visibility?
Memoranda – This is another form of
- It creates a feeling of security on the part of the
law-abiding citizen, a feeling of confidence that the
policemen are available to respond when called
upon at any situation, and a feeling of fear on the
part of the would be violators.
Three (3) Things to be consider in Police
Visibility
1. Physical Presence
a) Visible as a police
b) Easy to locate units
2. The Patrolling Scheme;
a) Mobile
b) Supportive
c) Redundant coverage
3. Response
a) Proper
b) Adequate
c) Timely (ideal: 5 mins.)
Guidelines in the Preparation and Classification
of Department General Orders, Special Orders,
Circulars, Memoranda
1. General Orders – Orders and/or directives
covering organizational set-up, functions and duties,
constitution of committees including departmental
commendations for officers, members and civilian
employees. General orders are prepared for
signature of the Superintendent.
2. Special Orders – Dealing on assignments,
transfer, temporary duty or special training etc. of
personnel. Special Orders are prepared for signature
of the Deputy Superintendent under the
correspondent line authority.
3. Numbered Memorandum – Is a department wide
directions or orders prescribing guidelines, standing
procedures, policies, rules and regulations which are
intended compliance/implementation or permanent
or continuing basis. These orders are prepared for
signature of the Deputy Superintended under the
usual line authority.
4.
dissemination of directives or orders which are
intended for compliance/implementation on
temporary or last only for a short period of time.
Memoranda are also used for dissemination by
quoting therein letters of appreciation and other
information purposes. They are prepared either for
signature of the Superintendent or the Deputy
Superintendent depending on the importance of the
matter.
Four (4) Types of Operational Reports
1. Patrol Services Reports
2. Arrest Reports
3. Preliminary Investigation Reports
4. Supplemental Progress Reports or Follow-up
Reports
Investigation Report
I. Authority
II. Matters to be investigated
III. Facts of the case
IV. Investigation/findings
V. Conclusion
VI. Recommendation/disposition
What is Criminal Investigation?
- also covers broad activity concerning crimes
against persons, property, security of the state, and
other crimes such as syndicated crimes of
kidnapping, illegal drug trade, assassinations, bank
robberies, carnapping, computer crimes, money
laundering, religious crimes, white slavery among
others.
Tools in Criminal Investigation
o WHAT offense has been committed?
o WHERE was the offense committed?
o WHO committed the offense?
o WHEN was the offense committed?
o WHY was the offense committed?
o HOW was the offense committed?
Goals of Criminal Investigation
 To determine if crime has been committed;
 To legally obtain information and evidences
to identify persons responsible;
 To arrest suspects;
 To cover stolen property, and
 To complete presentation of case to
appropriate authority
Tools of an Investigator in gathering facts (3 I’s)
1. Information – data gathered from other persons,
the victim and from the other records such as public
records, private records. Modus Operandi File.
2. Interrogation – skillful questioning of witnesses
and suspects.
3. Instrumentation – scientific examination of real
evidence, application of instruments and methods of
the physical sciences in detecting crime such as
microscope, dactyloscopy, ballistics, photography,
polygraph and others.
Methods of Identifying the Offenders
1. Confession
2. Eyewitnesses
3. Circumstantial Evidence
4. Associate Evidence
Standard Method of Recording Investigative
Data
a. Photographs
b. Sketches of crime scene
c. Notes about the crime
d. Fingerprints found at the scene
e. Physical evidences gathered
f. Plaster cast
g. Tape of sounds or voices
h. Video tape record of objects or sounds
i. Written statements of subjects and
witnesses; and
j. Computerized and programmed
Standards of Report Writing
Reports being permanent records of investigate
efforts are subjected to close scrutiny at all levels of
the police organization including otheh concerned
agencies of the government. Reports must meet
certain standards because of this, some of which are
as follow:
1. Reports must not contain vague or unclear terms;
2. Reports must be original and correct in both
composition and grammar;
3. Abbreviation must be used appropriately and
correctly;
4. The use of slang, colloquialisms or unnecessary
technical terms should be avoided;
5. Reports must not contain erasures or alterations;
6. If any correction is to be made, then it must be
corrected by changing the entire page to contain
what is correct.
7. All duplicate copies of reports must be legible
and clearly readable;
8. When necessary, duplicate copies of reports must
be officially authenticated; and
9. Contents of reports must be factual and devoid
bias or prejudice on the part of those making the
report.
Qualification of an Investigator
 Capable of observation
 Rational thinker
 Knowledgeable about the laws on crimes,
evidences, arrest, investigate concepts,
techniques, scientific aids, laboratory
services, and about criminals and their
modus operandi’
 Power of intellect on the so called 6th sense
 Cooperative and can work with others
 Observant of professional ethics
 Has leadership potential; and
 Reliable, honest, and physically, and
mentally fit.

Basic Functions of an Investigator
 Providing emergency assistance
 Securing the crime scene
 Photographing, videotaping and sketching
 Taking notes
 And writing reports
 Searching for, obtaining and processing
physical evidences
 Obtaining information from witnesses and
suspects
 Conducting raids, surveillance, stakeout and
undercover assignment
 Testifying in court; and
 Investigation monitoring and research
Report Writing Form
Every agency has its own forms and
procedures for completing operational reports. But
there is a standard format on how to prepare a report
that is simple yet complete.
We have what do you call a basic or
informal report that deals with the ordinary
miscellaneous day to day memorandum, letter, or
form accomplished by any member of the unit,
section, precint/station or department in accordance
with the prescribe general orders, special order,
circular, numbered memoranda.
Style of a Report
All reports are written in such a manner that
it clearly presents only the relevant facts. The
presentation of these facts must not be distorted or
confused by the writer’s manner of expression.
Clarity, accuracy and brevity are emphasized based
on facts.
As Investigator you should remember and
memorize “The Miranda Warning”
1. You have the right to remain silent.
2. Anything you say can and will be used against
you in court of law.
3. You have the right to an attorney.
4. If you cannot afford an attorney, the court will
provide one for you.
5. If you decide to answer questions now without an
attorney present, you will still have the right to stop
answering at any time until you talk to an attorney.
What is Police Blotter?
- is a record of daily events occurring within the
territories and jurisdictions of a given police unit or
command. It contains material details concerning
the event for legal and statistical purposes.
What is Reference?
- Circular Number 5 issued by the General
Headquarters, Philippine National Police, dated
December 10, 1992, is the rule “Prescribing
Uniform Police Blotter for the PNP”. This rule
shall be followed by the different police offices and
units throughout the country in making an entry of
events and incidents on the police blotter.
Purpose of Circular no. 5
- The purpose of the circular is to prescribe a
uniform police blotter for the PNP and to define the
rules and procedures for making the entries.
Form and Size
a. The Police Blotter shall be a record book
with hard cover and shall be 12 inches by 16
inches in size.
b. The front cover of the blotter shall contain
the name or designated of the police force
and particular police district or station,
together with the designation of the specific
police unit or sub-station and the period
covered.
The entry in the police blotter should answer the
following questions:
a. Who
b. What
c. Why
d. Where
e. When
f. How
g. Disposition of the case

In answering all the questions, the details about
the event or incident should include the
following:
a. The name/s of the suspect;
b. The name/s of the victim;
c. The witness/es, if any;
d. The nature of the action/offense;
e. The possible motive;
f. The place/location;
g. The date and time of occurrence;
h. The significant circumstances that
aggravate/mitigate the event/crime.
i. The identity of the officer to whom the case
was assigned; and
j. The status of the case.
The following are examples of
incidents/transactions that are to be entered in
the police blotter:
a. Violation of laws and ordinances
b. Calls in which any member of the PNP is
dispatched or takes official action;
c. Report and information received by the
station;
d. Movements of prisoners;
e. Cases of missing and found persons, animal
and property;
f. Vehicular and other types of accidents;
g. Damage to properties;
h. Personal injuries, bodies found and suicides;
i. Arrests; and
j. Any other similar cases.
Whose units are required to maintain police
blotters?
a. Every police station or sub-station shall
maintain a police blotter; and
b. All PNP Operating units or divisions in the
Metro Police District shall likewise maintain
a separate blotter.
Who will be responsible in supplying the police
blotters?
a. General Headquarters, PNP shall supply
police blotters to each PNP Unit, Station or
Sub-station who shall reflect the same on
their property books as accountable items
b. The PNP Unit Commanders shall be
responsible for the proper maintenance, use,
safekeeping and accounting of the police
blotters; and
c. Pending procurement and issuance of police
blotters by GHQ PNP, police forces shall
continue to use present blotter, provided, the
forms and rules shall be followed.
Procedures for making entries in Police Blotter
a. All entries in the police blotter shall be
handwritten in a clear, concise and simple
manner;
b. Only facts are entered in the blotter;
c. No erasures shall be made on the entries.
Corrections are made by drawing a
horizontal line over such words or phrases
and the actual entry initiated by the police
officer making the correction;
d. A blue or black ink pen shall be used in
making an entry;
e. Misrepresentation in the blotter or any
attempt to suppress any information is
punishable administratively;
f. All entries must be consecutively numbered;
g. Every page of the blotter shall be
chronologically filled in. no line or space
shall be left blank between any two entries.
h. Any development of the case in the blotter
should be a new entryt at the time and day it
was reported. A reference to the previous
entry number of the case should be made;
and
i. At the end of every shift, the duty sergeant
and duty complaint desk officer shall sign
the blotter.
Police Records – are records made or received by
the Police in pursuance of its legal obligations.
Police Records consist of the following items:
1. Typewritten, handwritten or otherwise
reproduce documents
2. Contracts and agreements
 3. Police reports
4. Police blotters and logbooks
5. Legal forms
6. Maps
7. Drawing and sketches
8. Pictures and photographs
9. Publications and press clippings
10. Mails
Police Records Management – function of the
Police to protect, retain, retrieve, preserve records
and records information required for the
continuance of government law enforcement
operations.
Specific functions and uses of Police Records
1. Measures police efficiency
2. Present the community’s crime picture
3. Assist in assigning and promoting personnel
4. Identify individuals
5. Provide bases for property accountability
6. Control the flow of investigation
7. Make information available to the public
8. Increase the efficiency of traffic control
9. Assist the court and prosecutors
10. Aid in the apprehension of criminals
Types of Police Records
1. Case records
2. Arrest and booking records
3. Identification records
4. Administrative records; and
5. Miscellaneous records