Patrol Officer Checklist for Report Writing Templates

Below is a non-comprehensive list of possible LLM templates for police report writing for patrol
officers:

MURDER

 When and how the call was received.

 List exactly what you saw, did, etc. on arrival.
 List observations of victims’ injuries, clothing, location etc.
 Note condition of scene.
 Note condition, description of suspect.
 Describe what reporting party, witnesses said, even if you don’t take statements, can they
identify?
 Include crime elements.
 Document details of arrest made – DO NOT ADMONISH SUSPECT.
 List name of ambulance company, paramedics, hospital, time of death and name of
doctor who pronounced death.
 List name of sergeant who responded and called out homicide investigators and their
names.
 List disposition of the body, deputy coroner’s name and serial number, and the receipt
number.
 List evidence person, if applicable.
 List exact addresses canvassed and results.
 List all officers, evidence personnel, firefighters, ambulance personnel etc. on the witness
sheet.
 Checked security cameras both police and public as well as license plate readers in the
area.

RAPE

 When and how the call was received.

 What the complainant was doing before the attack began.
 How did the complainant first become aware of the suspect? Is/was there a relationship
between complainant and suspect?
 Suspects first demands or commands – exact quotes.
 List force/fear/threats used and include description of weapon (what kind, where it came
from.)
 Did the suspect remove victim’s clothing or did victim?
 Did the suspect penetrate victim’s vagina?
 Does the victim know if suspect ejaculated? Where? Did the suspect use a condom?
(Evidence)
 List elements of other crimes.
 What has the victim done since the attack? (Shower, change clothes, etc.)
 List hospital you took victim to and examining doctor/nurse – List doctor and nurse as a
witness.
  Disposition of Sexual Assault Kit.
 Can the victim and or witness identify the suspect.
 Document details of arrest if made – DO NOT ADMONISH SUSPECT.
 Where will the victim be located over the next week? What is the contact number and
address?
 List observations of victim injuries, demeanor, clothing conditions, signs of struggle etc.
 Who took statements from the victim/witnesses?
 Victim confidentiality.
 Checked security cameras both police and public as well as license plate readers in the
area.

SELF-INITIATED ARREST

 How did you become aware of the incident? Was it on-view or were you dispatched? If
viewed, what were you doing?
 Document details of information given by radio. (Suspect description, location, etc.)
 Document exactly what you observed on arrival/on-view. Include suspect
activity/description, etc. which gave you reasonable cause for detention (or PC for arrest)
 Document that you made a detention to investigate based on reasonable suspicion.
 Document reasons for cursory search for weapons, i.e., time of day, alone, high
crime/drug area, bulky clothing, flight-plus, hands concealed in jacket, not obeying
commands, outnumbered, etc.
 Describe cursory search techniques if applicable to locating weapon or plain feel doctrine
– drugs.
 If you felt a possible weapon, describe why it felt like a weapon and what kind of
weapon.
 Document your recovery of the weapon.
 If you felt contraband, document how you knew it was contraband (training, experiences,
etc.) Remember you must have probable cause (the contraband) to arrest suspect before
recovering the contraband during the search (arrested in your mind) or plain feel doctrine.
 Document arrest and subsequent search.
 Document admonishment of suspect and results. If the suspect gives a statement,
summarize it in your report.
ROBBERY

 When and how the call was received.

 Location of victim and last known direction of suspect.
 How did the victim first become aware of suspect?
 Statement and acts of suspect. (Exact quotes.)
 Did the suspect attempt to make a purchase (if store robbery)?
 What were the suspect’s demands and commands? (Exact quotes.)
 Weapon used? What is the description of the weapon? Where did the weapon come
from? Which hand was the suspect holding it in?
 Sequence of the loss.
 Direction of flight (include vehicle, if any).
 Can the victim identify suspect or vehicle?
 Document details of arrest if made. DO NOT ADMONISH SUSPECT.
 List injuries to victim and medical attention given.
 Was a statement taken? From whom? By whom? Identify each witness and get separate
statements.
 Checked security cameras both police and public as well as license plate readers in the
area.

BURGLARY

 When and how the call was received.

 Who parked and locked the car or last left dwelling?
 Who returned and found car or dwelling? When?
 Describe how and when the suspect entered. What tool or object was used – foot, pry bar,
crowbar, etc.?
 List area searched and method (neat, messy, selective).
 List elements of other crimes committed.
 List probable point of exit and that suspect took loss with him.
 Who secured the vehicle or building after you left.
 Checked security cameras both police and public as well as license plate readers in the
area.

SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCE - DEATH

 When and how was the call was received?

 Who pointed out body to you? What did they tell you? Take a statement.
 List detailed observations of body and scene.
 Who last saw the deceased alive? When? Where? Take a statement.
 Suspected Suicides. Is there a note? Where?
  Document notifying supervisor and coroner.
 List name and serial number of deputy coroner. Who took body, note and receipt number.
 Who pronounced death?
 List exact addresses canvassed and results.
 Checked security cameras both police and public as well as license plate readers in the
area.

STOLEN VEHICLE

 When and how the call was received.

 Who parked car? When? Was it locked?
 Who noticed the car missing? When?
 Did the victim give anyone permission to drive it?
 Location of all keys to the car.
 Have the victim sign under penalty of perjury.
 Dust the rear-view mirror for latent fingerprints if fingerprints are visible.
 Checked security cameras both police and public as well as license plate readers in the
area.

CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE

 When and how the call was received.

 Interview the reporting party to determine how child disclosed abuse or how they became
aware of it.
 Ascertain from the reporting party the exact details the child provided about the offense.
 Determine from reporting party the child’s maturity level. Has the child made similar
allegations in the past.
 Has the reporting party seen any physical signs of abuse?
 Does the reporting party know the suspect? If so, get suspect, description information.
 Can the child identify the suspect?
 Ascertain if a child forensic interview would be needed?
 Contact supervisor to determine if medical exam will reveal any evidence. If so,
document the name of the hospital and name of doctor. (List the doctor as a witness).
 Victim confidentiality.

The checklists above are potential templates that can be established and used while pairing with
LLMS and a Chat GPT type program – one hopefully integrated with an established RMS.