how long does a cop have to write a police report

How to write organized and concise police reports

Set the scene, by introducing the people, property and other information before it is discussed.

Police report writing sets the scene to explain and understand the incident.

The information and methods in this article are more fully discussed my book “ Report Writing For Law Enforcement & Corrections .” It is available from Amazon and other booksellers.

What is the secret to good police report writing? The answer is organization and clarity. By following these two principles, you’re already on the path to a great report. A major problem for a lot of report writers is organization, not writing the report in chronological order.

One of the biggest challenges with the concept of chronological order is the order according to whom? Is it the writer, the victim, a witness or perhaps even the suspect? Each of these actors in the event has their own perspective to the order of events.

Complete the “Access this Police1 Resource” box on this page to download a copy of this guide to print and keep at your desk.

Where should I begin the police report?

For the writer, the incident starts when they first arrive on the scene. For the victim, it is when they first realize they are the victim. For the witness, it is when they first see the action that makes them a witness. Of course, for the suspect, it is when they make that conscious decision to commit the crime. True chronological order means the order in which the events actually occurred.

Many reports begin this way:

While on patrol, (date and time) I received a call to (location). Upon my arrival, I spoke to the victim, (name) who said...

This format is told in the order in which the events occurred to the writer. It can work and has worked since report writing began, in simple cases with few principles, facts and evidence. In these cases, it is easy to use and can be understood fairly well.

The problems in clarity occur when there are multiple principals, a significant amount of evidence and events occur over a longer time period of time.

You know you’re having problems organizing the report when it’s unclear where or how to begin the report.

Tell the incident story backward

This format is not what I would call a report. It is a statement from the writer saying what happened to them. In fact, in most cases, the crime has already occurred and the writer is telling the story backward. When asked why they write this way, many report writers will state that they don’t want to make it look like they are making it up — they want to emphasize where they received the information.

I have a simple startup paragraph that relieves this concern and makes it clear where the information came from:

I, (name), on (date and time) received a call to (location) reference to (the crime). My investigation revealed the following information.

This one short paragraph is interpreted to mean you talked to all the parties involved and examined the evidence. A report is not a statement of what the writer did (although this format can more or less work). A report tells the story of what happened, based on the investigation.

Some writers are concerned about being required to testify about what the report revealed. This is not a concern. You only testify to what you did, heard or saw.

When a witness tells you what they saw, you cannot testify to those facts, only that they said it to you. Their information should be thoroughly documented in their own written statements. Each witness, victim or suspect will testify to their own part in the case. Crime scene technicians and experts will testify to the evidence and how it relates to the case.

Your story, told in true chronological order, will be the guide to the prosecutor of what happened. It is like the outlines in a coloring book. The prosecutor will add the color with his presentation, using all the subjects and experts as his crayons to illustrate the picture – the story.

The investigating officer that writes the report is one of those crayons.

Set the scene

We start the process with the opening statement I outlined above. You can change the verbiage to suit your own style. The important phrase is the last sentence, “My investigation revealed the following information.” This tells the reader that this is the story of what happened. Your actions will be inserted in the story as it unfolds.

When you start, set the scene. Introduce the people, property and other information before it is discussed. For example, with a convenience store robbery, set the time, location and victim before you describe the action.

Mr. Jones was working as a store clerk on Jan 12th, 2013, at the Mid-Town Convenience store, 2501 E. Maple Street, at 2315 hours. Jones was standing behind the counter, facing the store. There were no other people in the store.

These first few sentences set the scene. The next sentence is the next thing that happens.

Approximately 2020 hours the suspect walked in the front door.

Each of the following sentences is merely a statement of what happened next.

• The suspect walked around the store in a counterclockwise direction.
• When he emerged from the back of the store he was wearing a stocking mask.
• He walked up to the counter and pointed a small revolver at the clerk.
• He said, “Give me all the money in the register...”

If you have multiple subjects involved in the event, introduce and place them all at the same time, before starting the action. A good example of this is a shoplifting case with multiple suspects and multiple loss prevention officers. Before starting the action, place all the people.

This makes it easy to describe the action when it starts.

After you finish telling the story, you can add all the facts that need to be included in the report not brought out in the story. Here are facts that can be included, if available:

• Evidence collected
• Pictures taken
• Statements of witnesses, the victim and even the suspect.
• Property recovered
• Any facts needed to be documented in the case

Using this process will ensure your police report is clear and complete.

This article, originally published on June 23, 2013, has been updated.

John Bowden is the founder and director of Applied Police Training and Certification. John retired from the Orlando Police Department as a Master Police Officer In 1994. His career spans a period of 21 years in law enforcement overlapping 25 years of law enforcement instruction. His total of more than 37 years of experience includes all aspects of law enforcement to include: uniform crime scene technician, patrol operations, investigations, undercover operations, planning and research for departmental development, academy coordinator, field training officer and field training supervisor.

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August 05, 2023

How to Write a Police Report: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. Introduction

Reports are a part of policing that over time get fine-tuned as new case law develops and agency policy and procedure changes.

Make sure you read to the end of this article where I deep dive into this fine-tuning process that sub-consciously evolves.

As a Field Training Officer, much of my time is spent teaching new officers how to investigate incidents, gather information, and write reports.

As a supervisor I look for signs that newer officers have a solid information gathering and report writing foundation laid down and then I assist with getting those skills to the next level. 

Using this article my goal is to help you with:

• Why police report writing is an important aspect of being a cop.
• Step-by-step guide to the several parts of the report narrative.
• Common mistakes and best tips for report writing.
• A bunch of great advice.

Here is my first and one of my best pieces of advice. There is no best report writer. There is however many great report writers.

You should be reading your co-workers reports and taking the best parts of each in order to formulate your report writing skills.

Your agency is probably filled with law enforcement officers who do certain aspects of their jobs well.

Job aspects like information gathering, report writing time management, formatting of names and more. 

If you are new to  COPJOT  and me as an author please check out my other  articles here at the blog index .

Be sure to read the next article where I break down the top Law Enforcement Gear Must Haves >>  Top 10 Police Gadgets and Essential COP Gear Must Haves  <<

Let's wait no further and dive into writing police reports.

2. Why is writing police reports important? 

• Documentation is key. As a police officer , you need to document your presence at a call for service in which you take some kind of action.The action you take may be to forward an investigation to another division in the police department, make an arrest, file formal charges, advise parties, document the use of force, etc. 
• Your incident report will be saved in your agency database and may be used for many purposes including a lawful public record request, inquiry into discovery by the defense in a criminal case, subpoena by a law firm for a civil court matter, used to further an investigation, used by Internal Affairs to conduct an inquiry or investigation into a matter.
• Arrest reports contain probable cause which gives you justification for taking action. These reports will be read by a good number of people in the court system. 
• Your report narrative can be used to assist you in preparing to testify in court. The more detailed your report is the better it will assist you with preparing for a potential appearance on the stand.
• The contents of your report can be used to place a suspect in a certain place at a certain time, driving a certain car, and wearing certain clothing. This may assist an investigation that had been active or one that is in the future. 
• How many times have you received a phone call requesting information about a suspect from another law enforcement agency? Old police reports can be valuable to law enforcement agencies seeking information.

3. How to write a Police Report: Step-by-step guide

Police report writing format has its own rules and guidelines compared to that of an essay or research paper. Thus, being a great writer in college doesn’t mean you can become a police officer and start writing excellent narratives.

Although report writing policies and procedures may differ depending on which agency you work for the basic guidelines universally apply just like the police  10 codes .

While on scene interviewing witnesses and suspects and gathering information to write a police report it is prudent to write down all of the information in a good police notebook .

You can find the best police notebooks, custom police notebooks, and write-in-the-rain notebooks at COPJOT Police Notebooks and Pens .

Your facts and identifying information are logged here in your notebook and are called police officer field notes . The better your field notes the better material you will have to write a police report.

If you are here trying to find out how to write a better police report you should start by jotting down detailed notes while interviewing victims and witnesses. 

These notes will be used to fill in the blanks later on while typing your report. 

Report narratives are written in first person, past tense, and organized in chronological order as the events occurred.

The Four C’s of Police Report Writing

Before you start typing keep the Four C’s in mind when you write reports. They are:

Clear :  Be as specific as possible. Use your field notes for specific chronological events and exact quotes.

Write as you would be speaking to members of a jury. Use terms like I exited my marked police car instead of I alighted from my cruiser. A jury doesn’t understand police jargon or police slang and you will leave them confused. In other words, use everyday language.

Concise : In as few words as possible give a lot of information. If it doesn’t matter if you arrived in a marked police car or unmarked police car leave it out.

If the report narrative you are writing will not result in formal charges and or there are no use of force issues then there is no need to put in an abundance of information. Keep it simple.

Complete : Your report is a summary of events but it  should include all relevant information.  It cannot be a specific word-for-word story of the events that took place. Relevant information will differ depending on the severity of the incident.

Continue reading and I will get further into detail about what complete may look like in different situations. 

Correct : Your police report “shall” be truthful, unbiased, and without opinion. If you don't make that a priority you may find yourself in a pickle further down the line.

Every police officer should know what the Brady decision is and if you don't or you would like to learn more check out my article >>  Brady Violations; What they mean for Law Enforcement Officers

In a police report, you shouldn’t try and create chicken salad out of chicken shit! This will eventually get you in trouble.

It is very important that if you have probable cause coming in at 60% you don’t write your narrative showing that you have a slam dunk case at 100%. If there are some holes in the case, be truthful about them. Judges, prosecutors, and defense attorneys will respect you for being truthful. 

4. Starting your Police Report Narrative

• Formatting refers to how information is organized and how the report is laid out on the page.  The heading should contain the report date, time, type of event or incident, and officer name. Write it the same way every time so that when you are referencing your old reports you know exactly where to look for the date, time, assignment, location, etc. 
• The body should be written in paragraph form, left-justified, and single-spaced with a double space between paragraphs. 
• Number each paragraph starting with 1. The introduction phase should be in paragraph 1. If you are called to testify in court and need to reference your police report to refresh your memory the prosecutor or defense attorney can easily direct you to the numbered paragraph like this. Officer I call your attention to paragraph #5 sentence 2. Your eyes will be directly able to find this paragraph.

The Introduction phase

The introduction establishes why you are on the scene and includes:

• Day, date, and time - Most agencies use military time
• Who “you” are. Officer Tony Ruth 
• Location or address as to where you were sent.
• Nature of the call or why you were present. 
• If other officers were present, who were they? Write their full names

On Tuesday, February 4, 2023 , I, Officer Tony Ruth , along with Officers Reed Williams and Karyn Tomlinson responded to 123 Main Street for a report of a break and entering to a motor vehicle. 

5. The Body Phase of a Police Report

Continue numbering your paragraphs. The body explains what happened at the scene by answering the 5W’s and H: Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How. All of these should have already been written down while at the scene in your police notebook.

This is where you show your probable cause for arrest and formal charging situations. Be specific about satisfying specific elements of a crime. Sometimes a crime has 3 or 4 elements.

Be descriptive and specific when getting into reasons for entry, stopping and holding, making arrests, and use of force incidents. Write a clear picture and remember your great note-taking will guide you through this phase. 

6. The Conclusion Phase of a Police Report

The conclusion should include the final actions of the reporting officer. The suspect or involved party was arrested/charged with a summons for complaint/parties were advised etc. 

Never put in a final opinion unless it is that of expertise and is accepted by the court.

A good rule of thumb is to end the report with:

R espectfully Submitted,

Officer Tony Ruth

Anytown Police Department

7. Common Mistakes and Best Tips for Writing Better Police Reports

Grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.

Officers tend to make grammatical errors such as putting periods and commas outside of quotation marks when they should be placed inside the quotation marks. Other mistakes include capitalization, spelling, and punctuation errors.

These errors can be easily picked up on by using spell check, proof reading it, and having a co-worker put a second set of eyes on it. 

Check your work and double check your work

Before sending your report to a supervisor or officer of higher rank you should always double check your work and if a co-worker is available have them proof read it.

Be coachable and open to suggestions especially from experienced police officers. 

Never send a report up the chain for approval that has not been proof read and spell checked. 

Leaving out the results of the investigation

Another common mistake police make in their reporting is leaving out critical details of an investigation, including the results.

Making assumptions is never allowed in police report writing, some officers may write thorough and detailed accounts of their investigation but fail to report the final result.

Not making an effort

Laziness will come back to bite you and sometimes that bite will be a big one.

A good police officer will write reports even when policy and procedure say that you don't have to but the police officer has a feeling that the circumstances surrounding the person, place, or thing investigated say to write a police report.

Factual mistakes

Factual inaccuracies on police reports are more common than you may think.

Police officers may record incorrect times, license plate numbers, driver's license numbers, names, addresses, and other critical details needed in a criminal case.

This can be solved by jotting down the pertinent information of your investigation into the police notebook you carry in the field. If you don't have a good police notebook visit www.COPJOT.com and pick yourself up one.

These custom police notebooks will assist you in professional police field note-taking and take the mistakes out of your report writing.

Incomplete or missing elements of a crime

Each crime has specific elements that must be satisfied if you are to develop sufficient probable cause for an arrest and then prove your case in court. Failing to articulate each element of the crime may also call into question the legality of your actions. The simplest way to avoid this is to obtain a copy of the statute for the crime you are investigating.

Leaving out parties involved in the incident

It is important to gather information on witnesses and other participants even if they are not formally charged.

Master carding other people involved can be important for your police department, whether in this case or a future inquiry. It doesn't hurt to ask people for a phone number where they can be reached. When you enter a person in your report be sure to add the phone number.

Never try and predict the future

Your job is to document and write about the past. If you write about a future prediction and it doesn't come true a good defense attorney will ask you what else about your police report is untrue.

We all make mistakes and so will you

Learn from them and make adjustments. If you have a bad day in court against a great defense attorney, learn from that experience and make the proper adjustments to better your reports and better yourself.

Fine-tune your report writing over time

It may take a few years but you will start to understand where and when you will need to throw that report writing into overdrive.

A simple fraud report with no named suspect will differ from a triple stabbing with a clear suspect, witness statements, and scene video. 

Also over time, you will get to understand which cases tend to get plea deals, which go to trial, and which go to trial that will be defended by a top-notch attorney. 

About the Author

Brian Humenuk   isn't just an entrepreneur in eCommerce, he is also an informed leader whose experience provides followers and visitors with a look into current and past police issues making headlines in the United States.

Brian has earned three degrees in Criminal Justice with the last, a Masters of Science in Criminal Justice Administration.

Brian extends his training, education, and experience to the officers just now getting into the field so that they may become more informed police officers and stay clear of police misconduct and corruption. 

You can find out more about Brian and the COPJOT story on the  ABOUT US  page .

More Information

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• Police Report Writing

The way you record basic factual information; your observations; statements by others; evidence collection, and any other actions you take can determine the success or failure of an investigation.” ~ Barry M. Baker Tweet

Detective Lieutenant Barry M. Baker (ret.) is a 32 year veteran of the Baltimore Police Department.

Police report writing how to basics is important on so many levels. One can argue that a perfect crime is simply one that is not reported. If a crime is not reported, no investigation will follow, no arrest will occur, and no prosecution will be pursued. When a victim decides not to report a crime to police, that’s a personal decision by the victim. However, when the crime is reported to police, it is your responsibility to document and thoroughly investigate the incident.

The Preliminary Police Report

This is where it all begins. Every police investigation begins with a police officer’s preliminary report. Your preliminary report can be just the beginning, or it can encompass and conclude an entire investigation. It all depends on the complexity of circumstances.

You’re on patrol, and you witness an armed robbery in progress. You apprehend the suspect, and you recover the victim’s property and seize the suspect’s weapon. You interview the victim and witnesses. In this example, you’ve taken care of everything from beginning to end, and your preliminary police report documents everything.

This time, your dispatcher directs you to a location to investigate a man lying in the street. You quickly conclude the man is the victim of homicide evidenced by apparent gunshot wounds. The victim has suffered multiple wounds to his head and chest, and spent shell casings litter the ground around him.

You are the Primary Officer

Homicide investigations are complex by design, and your preliminary report will be a critical part of the initial phase. As the first officer to arrive on this crime scene, you are the primary officer. You will remain at the scene with the responsibility to preserve and protect the scene until homicide investigators release you.

You’ll stay busy. Your preliminary report will document, in chronological order, every event that occurs from the time you received the call until you clear the scene. You’ll list all notifications you make, and the names and arrival times of every person who enters the scene. In effect, you’ll be the gatekeeper.

The Length of Your Preliminary Report

Many police officers believe a preliminary report should be brief and cover only very basic information. Wrong…your preliminary report should include every bit of relevant information your investigation produces. The depth of your investigation depends only upon your investigative abilities, and the time and resources available to you.

Uniform Crime Reporting Handbook for Police Report Writing

Knowing how to classify crimes and report them in the proper format is all important for police report writing. The proper classification of a crime will ensure it gets the attention it deserves. You’re going to learn that a lot of police officers aren’t very well versed in UCR.

The ever increasing political importance of crime reduction has led to some bad habits. A lot of supervisors and police commanders have adopted some pretty creative interpretations for crime classifications. Your knowledge and understanding of UCR will keep you from developing those same bad habits.

It’s FREE. Download the 164 page UCR Handbook from the FBI and save it to your computer.

The importance of this book cannot be overstated. If you read this book and keep it close for reference, you will never experience problems properly classifying crimes.

Additionally, your knowledge of its contents will put you far ahead of others in any pre-employment interviews.

Basic Factual Information in a Police Report

Your police report is going to have labeled information fields for you to list basic factual information. Those fields are there for a purpose other than balancing the graphic design of the report. You’ll work with officers who think N/A, none, and slash / marks should fill the majority of these fields. The completeness and accuracy of basic factual information is important for a host of reasons including making you look competent.

For example: Follow-up contact with a victim is important. Your victim tells you he has no telephone. Before you write [none] in that box, ask for a relative’s or friend’s number through which the victim be contacted. Ninety-nine percent of the time your victim will be able to provide you with a phone number.

Date; Time, and Location of the Offense or Incident

You’re probably thinking, “This is pretty obvious,” and you’re absolutely right. You’ll learn that some officers don’t consider accuracy that important when recording these critical details in their police report writing. When you’re on the scene with a victim only moments after an offense, these details won’t be a problem. However, people sometimes wait, even when serious offenses occur, to report crimes. Rapes and sexual assaults often fall into this category.

If and when a suspect is apprehended, these details become extremely important. For instance: If the true date is off by just one day, that error could establish a verifiable alibi for the suspect. Even if the error is corrected during the investigation, it could cause problems during any prosecution.

Estimating Time can be a Problem

You’ll also learn that people badly estimate time by either underestimation or overestimation. For example: You’re interviewing the victim of a street robbery. The victim tells you she can identify the suspect, because she got a good look at him. You ask her how long she looked at his face, and she replies, “About a minute.” While she’s not lying, it should be obvious to you that she’s probably overestimating the time.

One minute is a very long time. A little more effort by you will bring that down to a more realistic observation measured in seconds. You may not think it’s an important detail, but that detail could be important if the case gets to trial. The defendant’s attorney will make the jury aware of how long a minute can be.

So many Officers become Confused

The location of an offense should seldom be a problem since the location you’ll record is the exact location where the offense occurs or begins. Even if a victim is abducted and taken to several locations, the location of the offense will be where the first unlawful act occurs. Remember, so many things are intertwined. Take this example where abduction occurs:

The suspect forces the victim into a car at gunpoint. At this point the UCR Crime is Aggravated Assault. If the suspect commits no other crime during the abduction, the offense will remain Aggravated Assault. However, if the suspect subsequently robs the victim, the UCR classification changes to Robbery. So many officers become confused — you need not be confused — JUST GET THE UCR HANDBOOK. The location remains the same; your narrative will record any additional locations.

Suspect Description

Basic Suspect Information: Name; Address; Race; Age; Date of Birth; Height; Weight; Eyes; Hair; Complexion; Identifying Characteristics

You’re going to look at a robbery report, and in the suspect description field you’ll see, “M-B-NFD” or “M-W-NFD.” The description tells you nothing about the suspect, but it tells you about the officer who wrote the report. First, the officer is lazy, and secondly, the officer doesn’t take his or her job and police report writing seriously.

The acronym NFD for No Further Description is a favorite of too many police officers. Of course, there are exceptions…the victim might be blind or unconscious; however, this is not the usual case.

When a person becomes a victim of a crime of violence, it’s an extremely traumatic experience. Sometimes the victim will be upset and talk at length without providing much relevant information. 

Other times the victim will be subdued, and he or she will offer very little information. Either way, it is up to you to obtain all available information regarding the crime and suspect(s) from the victim. Some officers will wait for the victim to do the officer’s job for him or her.

The officer asks the victim, “How old is the suspect,” and the victim replies, “I don’t know.” You’d be surprised how many officers will take that answer for omitting any age in the suspect description. You should already realize that the suspect is probably between the ages of 15 and 50. From here, it’s a simple task to get the victim’s estimation of the suspect’s age.

Keep Asking Questions

You’d be amazed how much a person takes in during stressful and potentially deadly experiences. All you have to do is keep asking questions. When you ask a victim about the suspect’s height, you already have two models to go by. You know your height, and the victim knows his or her height. 

Some up and down hand movements by the victim will provide a pretty accurate estimation of the suspect’s height. Weight is more problematic, but terms like thin; stocky; muscular; large belly, etc. will aid in providing identifiable information.

Here’s one which many, or even most, police officers never seriously consider. Describing the race of a suspect is not as simple as you might think. When the suspect is white, there’s a wide variation of descriptions concerning hair color, eyes, etc. Complexion can go from pale to dark, but complexion is usually only one of a number of characteristics. 

When the suspect is African-American, or black, complexion is always listed primarily as light, medium or dark.

Here’s the problem when you ask an African-American victim the complexion of a black suspect. The victim will almost always describe the suspect’s complexion in comparison to the victim’s own complexion. If the victim is very dark complexion, he or she may describe the suspect as light skinned when, in fact, the suspect is medium to dark complexion. All you need do is point this out to the victim, and he or she will immediately understand and provide you with a more accurate estimation.

Show some Interest

It really comes down to how you treat a victim. Once a victim knows that you’re truly interested in helping, you’ll be amazed how much the victim will be able to recollect. You simply start at the top of the head to the tip of the suspect’s toes. The more detailed questions you ask the more details the victim will remember. Detail — That’s what police report writing is all about.

Suspect Descriptions are Important for a Police Report

When I was a patrol officer, I was sitting at roll call when the shift commander used me for entertainment. He read one of my reports from the previous day. The entertainment consisted of the suspect’s description.

The crime was only a larceny from auto, but the woman who witnessed the crime gave me an extremely good description. I often took heat for my attention to detail in my police report writing. Anyway, it was extensive, and everyone had a good laugh right down to the band aid on the suspect’s left cheek.

Moments later, as we hit the street, one of the officers rolled around a corner, and his attention was immediately drawn to a young man standing on the corner. Actually, his attention was drawn by the band aid on his left cheek. The guy hadn’t even changed his clothes from the day before. That officer told that story for years. The moral of this story is this: Suspect descriptions are important for police report writing. It’s all part of information, and information is the life blood of police work.

The Police Report Narrative

This is where it all comes together. Your department may have required headings for your narrative such as a description of property taken. You may have to continue basic information like suspect descriptions into the top of your narrative section. Just make sure you have all your basic information completed so that your narrative doesn’t have to include information which will detract from telling the story.

Not Wrong...but needless

Some police academies teach officers to begin a narrative by rehashing a lot of information already listed in the basic information fields. Here’s an example: “On [date], at [time], I, Officer Tom Jones, received a call, via communications, to respond to 812 N. Collington Av for a report of an armed robbery. Upon arrival, I was met by the victim, Sandra Smith, who stated that at about 1700 hrs this date she was robbed…”

Get to the point

Everything you just wrote should already be recorded in the basic information. Here’s how you should begin this narrative: “Victim Smith reports she was standing in the bus stop in front of 812 N. Collington Av when suspects 1 and 2 emerged from the alley adjacent to that address. Suspect 1 pulled a silver colored revolver from his waistband and pointed it at the victim’s head while stating, ‘Give up the money, bitch.’ Suspect 2 walked behind Victim Smith and pulled her handbag from her shoulder. Both suspects then fled back into the alley escaping in an eastbound direction.”

Be Concise...but Complete

You might think that completes the narrative. It does pretty well describe what happened, but it’s not the end of your investigation. As you interview the victim, other information may come to light which was not immediately apparent. The victim may have observed the suspect(s) in the past at another location.

Your canvass of the neighborhood may reveal witnesses to the robbery. Even if you locate no witnesses to this crime, your conversation with residents may reveal additional information about the suspects from their physical descriptions. You identify every person you speak with and list that information in your report, you leave a business card with each person.

Investigation can become an addictive process – hopefully – and the more of it you do, the better at it you’ll become. Sure…some people won’t share information with you, but a lot of others will. However, those others aren’t going to volunteer the information. They’ve got to be asked.

Over time you should create your own format for the narratives in your police report writing. Make sure you create it considering the fact that other people are reading your reports. The information should flow smoothly. Always refer to the victim by name [Victim Smith]. When you have multiple victims, using numbers becomes confusing for the reader.

Likewise, when you have a name of the suspect, always use the suspect’s name [Suspect Jones]. Concise doesn’t mean short; it only means that you shouldn’t embellish your narrative. Don’t make observations that aren’t verified by facts, and don’t make cute remarks in police report writing. The amusing parts will happen automatically.

Write everything that is Relevant in the Police Report

I once responded to a domestic disturbance where the boyfriend punched his girlfriend knocking out her two upper front teeth. After a brief struggle with me, (he didn’t struggle that hard with me) I got him handcuffed. As we stood outside waiting for the wagon, I was doing a complete search of his clothing. When I felt his right front pants pocket, I felt two small objects. I paused and asked, “That’s not what I think it is…is it?”

He simply rolled his head slowly toward me and answered, “They was loose anyway.” I recovered and submitted the girlfriend’s teeth as evidence, and I recorded our exchange word for word in my narrative. While that exchange could be viewed as amusing, the Judge wasn’t amused, and it got the boyfriend a year in jail.

Remember, no information is irrelevant for police report writing as long as it is pertinent to your investigation. If you develop information which contradicts other information in your investigation, record that information. No investigation is free of contradictions. Your recognition and attention to contradictions only shows your thoroughness. The earlier contradictions are noted, the quicker they’ll be resolved.

Neatness counts in a Police Report

If you’re writing your field reports by hand, neatness does count. Even beautiful handwriting can be difficult to read. Most peoples’ handwriting is just plain terrible. Learn to print — preferably in upper case. Your written reports, no matter what the process used, are a measure by which others will view your knowledge and competence. It’s all really very simple. Make the reader believe he or she is there watching the events unfold, and make the words readable.

Writing Skills  (ad)- This is The Elements of Style , the classic style manual, now in a fourth edition. A new Foreword by Roger Angell reminds readers that the advice of Strunk & White is as valuable today as when it was first offered. This book’s unique tone, wit and charm have conveyed the principles of English style to millions of readers. Use the fourth edition of “the little book” to make a big impact with writing.

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3 Ways to Report a Crime to the Police

Last Updated: April 22, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was written by Saul Jaeger, MS and by wikiHow staff writer, Ali Garbacz, B.A. . Saul Jaeger is a Police Officer and Captain of the Mountain View, California Police Department (MVPD). Saul has over 17 years of experience as a patrol officer, field training officer, traffic officer, detective, hostage negotiator, and as the traffic unit’s sergeant and Public Information Officer for the MVPD. At the MVPD, in addition to commanding the Field Operations Division, Saul has also led the Communications Center (dispatch) and the Crisis Negotiation Team. He earned an MS in Emergency Services Management from the California State University, Long Beach in 2008 and a BS in Administration of Justice from the University of Phoenix in 2006. He also earned a Corporate Innovation LEAD Certificate from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business in 2018. There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 416,834 times.

If you are a victim of a crime or witness something that looks suspicious, it’s important that you report the incident to local law enforcement. Most people usually file a police report by visiting the nearest police precinct or calling the non-emergency number for the dispatch office. In some metro areas, you also may be able to file a police report online. We’ll walk through each process step-by-step so that you feel comfortable and confident should you ever have to report an incident. However, if it’s an emergency situation and you believe your life or someone else's life is in danger, call 911 immediately.

Things You Should Know

• Locate your nearest police station and go there to make your report in person. Bring a photo ID and any evidence you have related to the incident.
• Look up your local police department’s website and fill out an online report. Include as many details as you can and wait for further instructions after submitting.
• Call your police department’s non-emergency number to report things such as theft or property damage.

• Non-emergency situations include things like pickpocketing, criminal damage to property, automobile theft, and garage burglary.
• Search “police non-emergency number” online to find this number, look through a telephone book, or call 311 (information) if that service is available in your area.

• You may be able to file a report anonymously over the phone. However, if you don't provide your name and contact information, the police will not be able to follow up with you about the report.
• Always provide your name and contact information if you suffered a loss as a result of the incident you're reporting, such as if your property was damaged or stolen. That way, if your property is recovered, the police will be able to easily contact you.

• If you have any photos, videos, or other documents related to the incident, let the dispatcher know. They’ll let you know how you can submit them.
• The dispatcher may ask you follow-up questions if there is specific information they need that you failed to mention in your description.

• The officer will confirm the information in your telephone report and ask questions to get any additional information they may need to further investigate the incident.
• You may not get a written copy of the report immediately. The officer typically will give you a receipt with the number assigned to your report so you can get a full copy later.

• In some cases, the police department may mail a copy of the report to you. Otherwise, you may need to make a trip to the precinct to pick up the report.

• City or metropolitan police departments typically have jurisdiction within the city limits, while the county sheriff's department will have jurisdiction over incidents that take place in the county or outside the city limits.
• There may be dual jurisdiction in some areas, such as if you live in a metro area where city and county governments have been consolidated. In that case, just find the precinct office closest to you. If you're in the wrong place, they'll tell you where to go.

• If you took photos or videos on your phone, take your phone with you to the police station. The police typically won't have to take your phone from you and will download your photos or videos to their computer system.
• In cases of property loss or damage, gather any financial statements, insurance claims, or other documents to take with you.

• If your ID has been lost or stolen, bring whatever documents or information you have that might prove your identity. This includes things like your social security card, a tax form with your social security number, or a bank statement that includes your personal information.
• Bring a friend or relative along to vouch for you if you don’t have your ID.

• You'll likely have a shorter wait time if you go earlier in the morning, as opposed to in the afternoon.
• If you have been the victim of a crime, such as a break-in or assault, you have the option to call the police and have them come out to you. They’ll likely take your statement as well as collect evidence at the scene.
• Call the station before you go down there to see if they would rather come to you. [10] X Research source

Saul Jaeger, MS

Did You Know? The most common mistake people make when filing a police report is not doing it right away. You never know when a piece of information might be useful to the police in helping them solve a crime or crack a case.

• When an officer comes to take your report, give them all of the information you know about the incident. Include as many specific details as possible and stick to the facts.
• If you have any documents or other information, let the officer know. They may want to take your originals or make copies.
• The officer may ask you more specific questions to get more information about the incident. If you don't know something or don't remember, say so. Avoid making assumptions or engaging in speculation.

• Keep your report number in a safe place. Depending on the type of incident you report, you may need to provide this number to others.
• For example, if you filed a report for property damage, you may need to provide the police report number to your insurance company when you file a claim. [13] X Research source

• If you don't hear from the police within a week, call the non-emergency number and tell the dispatcher that you want to follow up on a report you filed. Give them your report number and wait for them to connect you to the appropriate officer.
• In the case that you learn more information about the incident after you’ve filed your initial report, call and ask to speak to the investigating officer to let them know the additional information.

• Not all police stations will allow you to file a police report online. In that case, you will need to go to the police station in person.

• Incidents involving lost or stolen property, damaged property, or vandalism typically can be reported online. You also can file an online report for financial crimes, including theft or identity theft.
• Call 911 immediately if people's lives are in danger.

• For example, write a list of names of people who were involved or who witnessed the incident before starting your report. Take note of the date and time the incident occurred, the street address of the specific location, and the general timeline of what happened during the incident.
• If you have any documents or other files related to the incident, you may be able to upload them along with your report.

• Stick to the facts and include as many specific details as you can remember. Avoid including things like descriptions of your feelings, emotional reactions, or personal thoughts.
• The field you have to enter details may be limited to a certain number of characters. Include as many details as possible, but be brief and concise.

• If you're not able to print a copy of your report, write down any confirmation number or report number that you're provided. You may need these to follow up on the report later, or to share with your insurance company.

• Find out the name of the investigating officer in case you gain new information about the incident and need to update your report later.

Expert Q&A

• In some states, you must be 18 years or older to submit a police report online. If you’re under 18, you will need to have a parent or guardian submit the report for you. [22] X Research source Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

• If you are in an emergency situation, call 911 immediately. Thanks Helpful 5 Not Helpful 0
• Filing a false police report is a crime. Be truthful and avoid any speculation that might not be accurate. [23] X Research source Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://home.chicagopolice.org/about/contact-us/use-3-1-1-to-report-non-emergency-situations/
• ↑ http://www.co.washington.or.us/Sheriff/OtherServices/PoliceReports/how-to-file-a-police-report.cfm
• ↑ https://www.elpasotexas.gov/police-department/online-services/
• ↑ https://thelawdictionary.org/article/how-do-i-get-a-copy-of-a-police-report/
• ↑ http://www.dallaspolice.net/division/financialinvestigations/policereport
• ↑ https://pcv.pccd.pa.gov/available-services/Pages/What-Happens-After-a-Crime-is-Reported.aspx
• ↑ https://police.ucla.edu/services/police-services/filing-a-report
• ↑ https://www.cityofsacramento.org/Police/How-Do-I/File-a-Police-Report
• ↑ http://www.cityoforlando.net/police/selfonline-reporting/
• ↑ https://home.chicagopolice.org/services/online-crime-reporting/

About This Article

To file a police report online, visit your local police department’s website and follow the prompts to fill in the report with specific information, like names and dates. You can also file a report in person by going to your local police department during business hours. Make sure to have your ID and any important information relating to your report, like photos or paperwork. To file a report over the phone, use 311 to find your local non-emergency number and describe the incident to the dispatcher. For more tips on filing a police report from our Legal reviewer, like how to follow up on your report, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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How to Master Report Writing

Whenever anyone talks about report writing, images of my academy class and the boring report writing segment always comes to mind. What I didn't know then, but know now, is just how important report writing really is.

As first responders, we consistently spend more time writing reports than on any other single task in law enforcement. The only thing that beats it is probably driving around patrolling our zones. And yet, beyond the academy, we get very little training in writing, period. We are just supposed to fumble through and learn other aspects of technical writing on our own. Because of this, we need to find a way of writing reports that will serve us well throughout our entire career.

As a report writing instructor, I am motivated by a school seal that belongs to the Philips Academy, better known as Andover. Andover is a prep school that was established during the American Revolution and is one of the oldest boarding schools in the country. The school seal was crafted by Paul Revere and includes the Latin phrase, "Finis Origine Pendet," which translates to the end depends on the beginning. The beginning is the focus of this commentary and it will cover the process of report writing.

Question of Style

We tend to write police reports for economy. "Detailed yet concise" becomes the battle cry for supervisors and at the same time creates a nexus for officers. In reality we write quickly so we can get to the next call only to write again. It's a convoluted method that demands a great deal but also tends to ignore some of the more technical aspects of writing. There is a middle ground, however, where technical writing and economy can meet to serve the greater good.

Experienced instructors know they can't teach report writing. By the time people come into law enforcement they either know how to write or they don't. You can't cram 12 years of school into a 40-hour block of instruction no matter how good you are. But what instructors can teach is a particular style of writing.

Style becomes the structure that helps form a quality report. If you focus elsewhere, and replace it with something more restrictive like an outline, then you miss the point altogether. For example, an outline is too rigid. It restricts your ability to maneuver. Combining elements or sections becomes more difficult. If you have ever worked a busy shift where your reports start to stack up, you understand the need to write in as tight a package as possible.

The problem is it's very hard to write concisely. Thomas Jefferson allegedly wrote a friend once and advised he was sorry for the length of his letter, as he did not have time to write a short one. You no doubt know this to be true from experience. We therefore have to strike a balance between writing a novel like "War and Peace" and Dave Smith persona Buck Savage's infamous short report "Saw drunk arrested same."

Journalistic Approach

We write to inform, not to impress. The first step involves using the journalistic approach. You need to answer who, what, when, where, why, and how. It sounds counterintuitive, but it's where police officers fail the most. And it's not because we don't have the information but because we haven't organized the information we do have to our advantage.

A highly effective report writing structure goes like this: how the officer got the call, what the complainant/witness/victim said, what the officer observed, and what the officer did. Adhering to this structure allows any first responder to tackle any initial investigation with ease.[PAGEBREAK]

How You Got the Call

We take for granted the numbers of ways we can get a call for service. We can be dispatched or flagged down. It can be a walk-up, or a follow-up. It's important to state how you got the call even if the investigation proves it to be something else. If it's in progress, you would put that information here as well, up until the situation was under control. Once calmed down, you go on to the next section. For example, if you drive up to find two males fighting, you can't begin your interviews until they get separated, calmed down, and checked for injuries.

What They Said

The next portion involves interviewing any witnesses, victims, complainants, and possible suspects. You summarize and paraphrase each of their testimonies. You should use quotes when they directly apply to the crime or violation. Don't be shy about vulgar language either. If they said it, you can quote it. You are just documenting their version and not necessarily what actually happened.

What You Observed

After your interviews, then write down what you observed. If the house has been ransacked, describe the scene in detail. If your victim has been hit, describe the injuries. If the victim swears someone kicked in the front door but you find no evidence to support the claim, you need to write that down too: "I found no evidence to corroborate that the door was kicked in."

What You Did

The last portion covers what you did while investigating the incident. This includes processing the scene, conducting a neighborhood canvass, or any other action material to the investigation. Minor things like handing out an incident number needn't be documented unless your agency's policies require it. Since this constitutes the last portion, also include a closing statement to let the reader know you are done. It can be as simple as, "The report was forwarded for further review."

General Tips

Don't answer a question and by doing so create a new one. A very common mistake occurs when someone writes, "I processed the scene with negative results." It begs the question, "Where and what did you process?"

If you have multiple witnesses, combine the like testimony and discuss the differences. For example, "Mr. Jones, Mr. Hernandez, and Mr. Smith all agreed that the vehicle was a brown compact. However, Mr. Johnson stated it was a green mid-sized car." This saves you from writing the same thing over and over again.

Work on sentence structure and cut out excessive words whenever possible. Never use seven when five will do. For example, "The victim had no suspect information and desired prosecution," is short and sweet.

You should also convert elements of the crime into sentences. Your report has to prove what you labeled it. "The victim stated that someone without consent entered her home and stole $500 worth of her property." In Florida that describes burglary, without having added any extra fluff.

Putting it All Together

Since style creates structure without locking you into an outline, you can easily combine any section. Here is a simple illustration: "I was dispatched to a burglary over with. Upon my arrival, I met with the victim, Mrs. Jones. She stated someone without consent broke into her home and stole $6,000 worth of jewelry." You have easily combined how you got the call and the elements of the crime, and set yourself up for the next part of the report, which is what the victim said. You even informed the reader that it was forced entry without writing a separate sentence.

Sometimes you'll write a long narrative and a reader can get lost in the details. Using a short summary paragraph at the end helps tie things up nicely. It highlights the totality of the situation and the outcome.

This type of structure helps new officers remove some of their anxiety. For first responders, the length of our reports works in reverse; the more complicated the call the easier the report. For example, most recruits are afraid of handling a homicide. In reality it's one of the easiest reports to write. You arrive, you secure, you contain, and then you call out detectives. Upon their arrival you turn everything over to them (assuming your agency works that way). Your biggest role becomes securing the scene. Your report is very short while a detective's may near book length.

On the flip side, a simple incident like someone hitting someone else might seem like it takes forever to write. This is especially true if you have multiple witnesses and victims on both sides. I have seen prosecution packets of this nature almost an inch thick.

Closing Thoughts

Report writing is relatively simple when you follow the structure of how you got the call, what people said, what you observed, and what you did. This particular style of report writing allows you to tackle any incident as a first responder. If you're a supervisor, don't tell your officers what to write or even how to write. Instead, show them what your agency needs and create a writing style. Give them some structure and let them fill in the blanks. They may just surprise you.

Amaury Murgado is a special operations lieutenant with the Osceola County (Fla.) Sheriff's Office. He is a retired Master Sergeant from the Army Reserve, has 23 years of law enforcement experience, and has been involved with martial arts for 37 years.

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Car Accident Police Report: When & How To Get A Report

Updated: Oct 3, 2022, 12:32pm

Table of Contents

What is a car accident police report, how to obtain a car accident police report, what’s in a car accident police report, how to get a copy of a police report, how insurance companies use police reports, are police reports admissible in court, what to do after a police report is made, frequently asked questions (faqs).

Getting a police report after a car accident is a critically important step, regardless of whether the incident is a minor fender bender or a serious collision . Understanding what car accident police reports contain, when and how to get one and how a police report may be used during a car accident settlement or lawsuit is essential to protecting your legal rights. This guide explains when and how to get a report so your rights will be protected.

A police report is an incident report created by a law enforcement officer who responds to the scene of a car accident. The report, taken at the scene of the accident, will include specific details related to the crash, statements from drivers and parties involved in the accident, witness statements and other important details noted by the officer. Police reports are necessary to help make determinations of damage and fault after a car accident.

Insurance companies and car accident lawyers place significant emphasis on what the police report contains, especially if the law enforcement’s evaluations point to one driver bearing most — or all — of the fault.

For these reasons, even in a minor car accident, a police report is essential evidence to protect your own legal rights and support any future insurance and legal claims anyone involved in the car accident could make, including seeking a settlement or a car accident lawsuit.

To get a police report after a car accident, you’ll need to bring a law enforcement officer to the scene if one is not already present. Once you and your passengers are in a safe location, call 911 to verify law enforcement and first responders are dispatched to the scene.

You are not legally required to talk to the police, but it may be in your interest to provide your side of the story for the police report. Do not admit fault, either accidentally or intentionally, and speak only about the facts of the incident.

Before the law enforcement officer(s) leaves the scene, obtain their name(s), badge number(s) and the police or incident report number if available.

A car accident police report usually contains the following:

• Identifying information about parties involved may include addresses, phone numbers and insurance information
• Identifying information for witnesses
• Weather, roadway and visibility conditions at the scene
• Statements from drivers, passengers and witnesses
• Path of the vehicles
• Point of collision
• Descriptions of damage to the vehicles and or persons involved
• Violations of the law or citations, if any
• Other findings or conclusions about how or why the accident occurred, including the officer’s opinions as to the cause of the collision and/or a determination of fault

Facts Versus Opinions in Police Reports

Police reports can contain both facts and opinions noted by the law enforcement officer. Details such as the make and model of the vehicles involved, the location and time of the accident and the weather conditions at the scene are facts.

A determination of fault — who caused the car accident, or is mostly to blame — is the opinion of the police officer. The police statement’s opinions still carry weight, but insurance companies will also separately collect relevant information to form their own opinions and conclusions about who is at fault .

If you need to obtain a police report, there are a few ways to do it.

You can request a copy from the local law enforcement office that drafted the report. If you have the report number provided by the responding officer, you can call the traffic division of that agency and they should be able to provide you a copy, usually with an administrative fee (around $15 on average). Some cities will allow you to do this online in addition to in-person.

If you do not have the police report identification number, the agency should be able to locate it if you can provide the date, time, location of the accident and your name.

Alternatively, your insurance company may have already obtained the report, and if so, you may be able to request a copy from them without associated fees.

Note that it could take up to a few weeks for the responding officer to complete the report and for it to become available.

The insurance companies for all parties involved in the car accident will conduct their own investigations into the incident. Since the insurance adjusters were not witnesses to the event, one of the first pieces of evidence they will review is the car accident police report.

In the event an insurance company comes to a different opinion than the police report or the other driver’s insurance denies your claim, a police report could potentially support your case when it comes to a fault determination.

Police reports can be used as evidence in a car accident lawsuit — but only in certain instances and jurisdictions.

Police reports are permitted to be used as evidence in small claims courts, but the rules are different if the case goes to trial in your state’s court of general jurisdiction, also known as a circuit court or superior court. At this level, litigants are held to the rules of evidence, which can sometimes exclude “hearsay” evidence collected as an out-of-court statement.

Some jurisdictions may have exceptions to the hearsay rule and allow you to admit some or all of the police report. In other jurisdictions, police reports may be considered “public records” or “business records” and be entirely admissible.

An experienced personal injury attorney in your jurisdiction can advise whether a car accident police report may be used as evidence.

Most insurance policies require you to report any accident to them within a certain period of time (which could range from one day to 30 days) even if you are not making a claim. Some states also require that you file a report with the DMV about the accident.

After a car accident, you may consider making an insurance claim or filing a lawsuit to recover damages. Alternatively, you may notice the other side has filed an insurance claim or is preparing a lawsuit against you.

Whether or not the police report is on your side in determining who was at fault for the accident, we recommend seeking legal advice and representation from an experienced and qualified car accident lawyer. In addition to protecting your rights and acting as a liaison between all involved parties, an attorney can also help you seek fair, complete compensation for accident-related losses and damages.

Do I need a police report even if no one was hurt?

Yes. Even if no one was hurt in a car accident, a police report can help make determinations about who was at fault and what accident-related losses and compensation you might recover. Additionally, a police report is a key piece of evidence insurance companies will use to form their own opinions about the involved parties’ claims , and may even be admissible in court if the other party files a lawsuit.

How long do you have to make a police report after a car accident?

A police report must be made at the scene of the car accident. If you are involved in a car accident, call law enforcement immediately to begin collecting evidence for the report.

What is the first thing you should do after being involved in a car accident?

Get yourself and your passengers to a safe location and assess for injuries. Then, call 911.

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Police Reports: What You Should Know

August 26, 2019 | Legal Info

Police reports  can provide important evidence for your accident injury case, but possibly not in the way you think. If you are in a car accident that results in injury, major property damage, or death, the police will usually respond to the incident and complete a police report. Officially, this is usually termed a “Traffic Collision Report.” The purpose of this report is to provide an objective summary of the events of the accident and the damages and injuries involved. A police report can be helpful to your accident injury claim, but it is important to understand how it is used, and what information it contains. Here are the key facts you should know about police reports.

1. Police reports have a unique service number, which is already assigned at the accident scene.

Request this number from the police officer who responds; this will make it easier for you to request a copy later. Be sure to collect information about the specific police precinct or jurisdiction, so you know where follow up later.

2. The final assessment of fault is not usually made at the scene.

The police report captures information about the drivers, witnesses and others at the accident scene, and any factors that contributed to the accident. It may include the specific vehicle code the at-fault party violated, mechanical failure, weather or road conditions. It may also include the police officer’s initial assessment of fault. Once the officers have gathered the relevant information, including photographs and witness statements, they will make a determination of fault and finalize the report. This is usually completed within about five days.

3. You can obtain a copy of the police report.

Police reports are public records, so once it is complete, you have a right to obtain a copy. Typically, you must make a report request with the relevant police department. The police department may charge you a small fee for processing the documents — but TorkLaw will provide you with a free, no-obligation copy of your police report. Fill out this online police report form . We will order your report and deliver it at no cost to you, whether or not you choose our firm to represent you. [tork-button size=”big_large_full_width” style=”” text=”Order Your Free Police Report” icon_pack=”” fa_icon=”” fe_icon=”” icon_color=”” link=”https://www.torklaw.com/resources/police-report/” color=”” hover_color=”” border_color=”” hover_border_color=”” background_color=”” hover_background_color=”” font_style=”” font_weight=”” text_align=”” margin=””]

4. You should review police reports carefully to check all the facts, and make sure the information is accurate.

Check the following information to ensure nothing is incorrect or missing:

• Make Sure the Date Is Correct. One of the most important parts of the traffic collision report (TCR) is the date of the accident. This is critical when calculating specific deadlines (statute of limitations) set by law that can bar you from filing a claim or lawsuit. When you get your accident report, make sure that the date is correct.
• Make Sure the Location is Correct. Check the exact location indicated for where the incident occurred, to ensure it is fully accurate.
• Party Identification: This section identifies the parties involved as Party 1 (P1), Party 2 (P2), etc. Confirm that all this information is current. An important part of this section is the “Insurance Carrier” and “Policy Number.” This section is frequently left blank or has inaccurate information. If the other party’s information is out of date, a lawyer . An experienced personal injury lawyer can order a background check and find insurance information for defendants, even if the report indicates that none was available.
• Vehicle Information and Owner’s Information: First, check to make sure you own vehicle information is correct. Then, check the other party’s information. If the other vehicle owner is different than the driver, that information will be noted in this section. This is important in determining liability and finding insurance coverage. If the owner is different than the driver, you or your lawyer should investigate for additional insurance policies that either one may have.
• Primary Collision Factor: This section will indicate which party (1 or 2) was the primary collision factor and indicate a vehicle code violation. Did the Police Take Pictures? If so, make sure you order copies of those photos. If this section left blank, contact the police department to confirm whether any pictures were taken. Photographs will be very important to your case.
• Witness and Passenger Information: The witness and passenger information is an important part of the traffic collision report, as these people may be able to testify on your behalf if needed.
• Other Associated Factors: The police report will also include information on whether the police officer believes other contributory factors may have caused the collision. You and/or your lawyer should pay particular attention to this section as it can play a critical role in your case, especially if liability is disputed.

5. You can petition the relevant police department to have police reports amended.

Of course, the police will not accept all proposed amendments. You need to provide proof of error. Errors in police reports fall into these categories:

• A factual mistake: Simple, easily verifiable mistakes, such as listing the wrong model of car, are normally easy to have corrected.
• Incomplete information: If you find additional or overlooked evidence that was not included in the police report, and it does not contradict the officer’s testimony, it may be easy to add.

If, however, you made an incorrect statement due to confusion or disorientation or feel the officer made a mistake in judgment, these will be more difficult to change. Your best course of action is to ask for your own version of events to be added. If you feel the statements you made immediately after the accident are not reliable because you were in pain or disoriented, you should provide medical records to support that. If the police do allow you to add a statement or additional evidence, it is important to be as thorough and accurate as possible. If you are dealing with police report errors, an experienced car accident lawyer can help you make sure the police report is something that bolsters your case, rather than detracts from it. Statements by parties, witnesses, conclusions, diagrams, drawings, calculations, measurements etc. are all important. Our law firm routinely handles cases with problematic police reports which we are able to overcome by properly conducting our own investigation, discovery, depositions and aggressive litigation.

6. The insurance company conducts its own investigation of the accident.

When you file a car insurance claim with the relevant insurance company, you will send them the police report. They will conduct their own investigation, as part of the claims process. This investigation will rely heavily on the police report, so it is important to ensure your police report is accurate. While it doesn’t happen very often, the final assessment of fault by the insurer’s adjuster may differ from that of the police.

7. Possibly the most important thing to know about police reports: they are usually not admissible in district courts.

It depends on the jurisdiction, but generally, police reports are not admissible as evidence in district courts. Since the police officer typically did not witness the accident firsthand, police reports are considered “hearsay,” which cannot be used in courts, except for very specific circumstances. (Police reports may, however, be used in small claims court.) If your police report contains inaccuracies or is incomplete, and the insurance company’s claims adjuster is using that information to deny or reduce your claim, your best course of action is to contact an experienced car accident attorney. The attorneys at TorkLaw can conduct our own investigation to ensure the insurance company pays you what you are owed. Use the form on this page to schedule a free consultation with one of TorkLaw’s lawyers, who can help you navigate the road ahead. All consultations are free, and there is no obligation whatsoever. For more useful information about how to deal with a car accident, read our book for free online:  Accidents Happen: A Consumer’s Guide to the Personal Injury an Wrongful Death System.

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WTO / Business / Reports / How to Write a Police Report (Pro Examples & Templates)

How to Write a Police Report (Pro Examples & Templates)

A Police Report is written documentation of an event or crime that has been committed, which includes details about the crime and the criminal who did it.

The reports may be filed by police officers or citizens (such as for burglary), and they provide essential information to judges, juries, attorneys, and victims.

If you are a police officer, you will be writing many reports. A good report is essential to your job because it will explain the facts of a case in detail. Conversely, a poor or incomplete report can lead to accusations against you for neglecting vital information that may be pertinent to the case.

Therefore, the more thorough and accurate your report is, the better for you and your department. In this article, you will know how to write a police report, discuss the importance of good report writing, and provide examples that you can use to craft your report.

Free Templates

Importance of Police Report

It is generally written after all the information of a case has been gathered. It can be beneficial in court cases, where lawyers will often ask for your report. This is because it serves as documentation, telling the judge and jury what happened and what the people involved were like.

A good report can make the difference between a case being thrown out and one getting through. They are a significant part of the justice system, and as such, police officers must take special care to ensure their reports are detailed and informative. A detailed and good written report will make it easy to understand the case.

Did you know that the filing of the report is contingent on the outcome of your call to authorities? If no report is generated and you wish to file one later, you can utilize the non-emergency line. Consequently, if you ever require emergency help, remember to call 911.

How to Write a Perfect Police Report?

The content of the report should be organized in an outline format. The more thorough you are, the better.

Below is a detailed breakdown of how to correctly write the report:

The header of the report outlines the name and location of the agency, as well as its contact information. You should include your name as well as that of any other involved parties. It also includes information about the incident — usually either “theft” or “vandalism.” The date and time should be included too.

• Date of the report : The report should be dated and show the exact time it was filed. This is important as it helps with accurate and effective record keeping.
• Title: The title should state who the report is about. For example, if it’s a robbery report, you’ll want to use the word “robbery” in the title, same with an assault or burglary report. If multiple cases pertain to one person (domestic violence and assault), the title should include the person’s name.
• Officer name: The officer’s name should be written at the top of the report to avoid confusing who wrote it. It will also help with record keeping.
• Time: This will allow for accurate date stamping of the report.
• Location of an incident: The report should also include the specific location of where the crime occurred. This will help with any investigations that may need to be carried out at that location. Make sure to include the specific address or intersection of the incident.

Introduction

The second section of the report is the “introduction.” This section should include the following:

• Nature of the call or incident: The report should also state the call or incident. This could be something like “theft,” “assault,” or “burglary.” It is essential to be as detailed and accurate as possible when describing the nature of the call or incident in the report.
• Why were you at the scene? This part is essential if there are ever any questions about why you happened to be at the scene of the crime. To clear this question, you must write how you arrived there.
• Additional officers who were also there: If there was another officer on the scene and they witnessed what happened, you may want to include their name and their badge number so that if ever questioned, you can provide a second source or perspective of what occurred.

The body section is where you will write about the five W’s and 1H – who, what, where, when, why, and how.

• Who: The first part of this section is everything that happened to or around the victim or witness. For example, if a robbery occurred at a convenience store, it’s important to include who was involved in the transaction. Next, make sure to list the names of any suspects or persons of interest involved in whatever happened.
• What: After listing everyone involved in an incident, you must explain what happened in chronological order. For example, if someone is reporting a robbery, you’ll need to include who was involved and what happened.
• Where: Explain where the incident took place in specific detail, including room numbers and landmarks if applicable. For example, the location of a reported robbery could include specifically which door or aisle of a store was involved.
• When: The time the incident occurred must be included in this section, including specific relevant times. This is important as it will provide a date stamp if any discrepancies or questions surrounding when the incident occurred.
• Why: This is where you will list what you believe happened and why it happened. This section may also include who was the perpetrator if known. For example, if someone reports that they were assaulted, you must explain why the situation happened. This section of the report may also include any motive or possible intent of the perpetrator if known.
• How: This section should provide a step-by-step explanation of everything that happened. This will help to paint a clear picture of what transpired. In some cases, it might be helpful to diagram or map out the scene of the crime. Therefore, it is essential to be as detailed as possible when writing the “how” section of the report.

In this section, you’ll need to include your final action if any follow-up details are needed in the future. For example, suppose a victim or witness doesn’t have all their information when they leave from reporting an incident. In that case, you will want to let them know that they will be contacted for a follow-up report when necessary information has been acquired.

Also, if there is nothing else to add to the report, end by saying that there is nothing to report further: This line helps solidify that you have thoroughly investigated your call or the case and reported it to the best of your ability.

Before you write the report, make sure you have all the correct forms. Different police departments will have different forms, so you will need to know which ones are correct for your department. If you don’t, the report may contain incorrect information and be incomplete.

Police Report Template

Date of the report: __________

Officer’s badge number: __________

Name of suspect(s): __________

Date and Time of arrest: __________

Address where offense occurred: __________

Location of arrest (i.e., where arrested): __________

Nature of call or incident: __________

On __________ at approximately __________, I responded to a call about an individual who was making annoying calls. Upon arriving at the scene, I met with ________ and___________. ___________stated that ___________ had been calling _____________’s phone number leaving harassing messages for _____ to hear. It is believed that __________ used a different number to mask her own phone number and erase the caller ID.

___________ has filed harassment charges against _________ and ___ is currently in custody at ___________ pending a court date. There is nothing further to report.

Sample Police Report

Date of the report: 3/1/2019

Officer’s badge number: 88765

Name of the suspect(s): Millicent Miller

Date and time of arrest: 1 pm

Address where the offense occurred: 32 Pine

Street Location of arrest: 32 Pine Street

Nature of call or incident: Annoying phone calls

On March 1, 2019, at approximately 3:30 pm, I responded to a call about an individual who was making annoying phone calls. Upon arriving at the scene, I met with Millicent Miller and her son John who reported that Millicent’s neighbor called her cell phone. Additionally, Sarah’s neighbor stated that Millicent had been calling Sarah’s house using a different number and leaving harassing messages for herself to hear.

Sarah has filed harassment charges against Millicent. Millicent is currently in custody at Central Station pending a court date. There is nothing further to report.

Do’s and Don’ts

Here are some do’s and don’ts to keep in mind when writing a report:

• Keep the report simple: Try to keep the language in your report as simple as possible. If you need help clarifying information or a situation, ask a colleague for assistance before submitting the final copy.
• Be clear: Your report needs to be clear and readable so that anyone can read it and understand what happened. For example, if you have more than one individual with the same name, use their full names and birthdates to identify them.
• Focus on brevity: The reports should always be as brief and concise as possible. If there is nothing relevant or helpful in your report, then leave it out.
• Take care of punctuation: Accurate punctuation is essential to keep your writing clear and readable because wrong punctuation can change the context.
• Stay positive: You need to emphasize that you are fair in this report, so try not to be negative when describing events or people. For example, use words like “alleged” when referring to crimes, to be honest without blame.
• Specify the report’s approach: Let your reader know what type of report they are about to read so that they can get an idea of how detailed it will be; for example, misdemeanor or felony arrest reports are more in-depth while a patrol activity summary is more general.
• Readable report: Keep it simple, clear, and readable for an audience to understand the information provided.
• Explain facts accurately: Do not lie or exaggerate in your report because this could jeopardize your job or lead to legal consequences for you.
• Logical sequence: Ensure that your report is set up in a way that makes sense and reflects the order of events so that it flows smoothly and logically.
• Proofread: Look over your work carefully, ensuring no grammatical or spelling errors before submitting the final copy and turning it to your supervisor.
• Avoid using jargon: The reports need to be understood by anyone who reads them, so avoid legal or technical terms that some readers may not know.
• Writing in passive voice: Most people prefer action and descriptive sentences over passive ones because they create a more dynamic and effective writing style for reports and other texts.
• Do not forget to write the incident results: Your report should always end on a solid note that leaves your audience satisfied and informed about what happened. You must write the final result of the incident.
• Writing vaguely: If you are unclear about a situation or event, ask your supervisor for assistance in rephrasing and clarifying it so that it is clear and readable in the final copy.
• Stay away from creating a biased report : Your job as a police officer is to remain impartial and fair so try to avoid taking sides.
• Mistakes of facts: It is important to double-check all information involved before submitting it for review so that you do not make any mistakes with times, names, places, or the number of individuals present at an incident.
• Do not give your opinion: The point of the report is to provide information and facts. Your opinion regarding the events that took place is not required. So avoid giving your personal opinions.

Expert Tips

When writing the report, make sure to follow the 4 C’s:

• Clear: Ensure that your writing is not vague or confusing.
• Concise: Do not include anything that isn’t necessary to the story.
• Complete: Make sure that you’ve covered everything related to the event or incident.
• Correct: Double-check facts and spelling to avoid any mistakes.

Frequently Asked Questions

As a police officer, you must write the report for any investigations you are conducting or if someone has filed a complaint. Your superiors may review these reports and use them as evidence in various cases; therefore, they must be clear, concise, and accurate.

When writing a report about a car accident , it is essential to keep the following in mind: There should be a clear introduction to your narrative of what happened, focusing on the sequence of events and people involved. Details about the crash/incident should be included as well as information about injuries and damages. Finally, your conclusion should summarize what happened and any further action that may be taken to address the situation at hand.

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How Long Do You Have To File A Police Report?

If you’ve witnessed or fallen victim to a crime, you may be wondering, how long do you have to file a police report? While the general rule of thumb is “as soon as possible,” there is a time limitation established by law, called a statute of limitations , to govern how much time you have to report a crime before it is essentially “forgiven” in the eyes of the law.

For many people in these situations, however, it is not cut and dried. If you’ve witnessed a crime, you may be fearful that someone will retaliate against you for reporting it to the police. Or, if the crime was committed by someone you know, you may have the desire to protect him or her. However, the more time passes, the harder it becomes to investigate the crime, as witnesses may forget what happened or evidence may become contaminated. Here’s an in-depth look at the question: how long do you have to file a police report?

How to Obtain Police Reports

How Long Are Statutes of Limitations?

A statute of limitations sets the maximum amount of time for criminal charges to be filed before  they can no longer be investigated by law. Statutes of limitations vary state by state, as well crime by crime. Typically, petty offenses like traffic accidents, vandalism, or minor theft have a one-year statue, meaning a bystander has a time limit of one year to file a police report for the crime. As for misdemeanor crimes , there is generally a two-year statute, while felones have a five-year statute .

However, serious felony crimes like:

• Child abuse

These have no statute of limitations, meaning witnesses can come forward and report the crime at any point after it has happened.

While you may not have to file an official police report, some states require citizens to report incidents like traffic accidents to the police within a few days. This is because the only valid evidence in these cases disappears so quickly that police will have little or nothing to go on if you don’t make them aware of it. Look up reporting laws in your state to see if these requirements apply to you.

It should be noted that while some statutes of limitations begin at the moment the crime is discovered to have occurred, the majority begin at the moment the crime was committed. This means that if you didn’t find out a summer home was burglarized until six months after the fact, you may need to file the police report sooner than you would have otherwise thought.

Why Do Statutes of Limitations Exist?

A statute of limitations does not exist to buy you time necessarily. It is always best to file a police report as early on as possible to give the authorities adequate time to conduct an investigation and prosecutors time to prepare their case.

According to Market Watch , “One of the biggest arguments for a statute of limitations is that corroborating evidence of the crime diminishes over the years: people who heard about the event will slowly forget details, or witnesses will not remember details.”

The Future of Statutes of Limitations

Recently in society, there has been an uprising of police reports for crimes that were committed several years prior, namely crimes that have to do with sexual misconduct and assault. With these allegations popping up in the headlines daily, addressing the statute of limitations laws has become extremely prevalent this year. Sexual assault has no statute of limitations, meaning witnesses and victims can come forward and report the crime at any time, whether the assault happened yesterday or 30 years ago.

While a crime 30 years ago may be hard to prove, more recent crimes are becoming easier to piece together with the help of technology.

“In our technology-dependent society, [the statute of limitations] is becoming an obsolete point,” Kristen Houser of the National Sexual Violence Resource Center in Pennsylvania told Market Watch . “Whether we are communicating over text or email or through apps, we have so many records of communication. We live in a place where video surveillance can corroborate time or date or location. It’s become such a ubiquitous backdrop of our culture.”

For instance, if the details of a crime were discussed years ago via text message, email, or social media, those details can be used in the investigation. While statutes of limitations still currently apply regardless of evidence that is found because of technology, that is something that may change or dissolve these laws in years to come.

However, while these limitations are still in effect, it is important to file a police report for crimes as soon as possible to ensure evidence is intact and justice is served.

To learn more about filing police reports, take a look at How Do I Get A Copy of a Police Report?

This article contains general legal information but does not constitute professional legal advice for your particular situation. The Law Dictionary is not a law firm, and this page does not create an attorney-client or legal adviser relationship. If you have specific questions, please consult a qualified attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.

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Can you change a false or inaccurate police report, about enjuris attorney editor.

Contributor: Enjuris Attorney Editor

How can I contribute?

A police report is a written account of a police officer’s observations. If the police are called to the scene of a car accident , they will generally— but not always —write a police report. 

Though police are trained to fairly investigate motor vehicle accidents and prepare police reports, they’re also human and mistakes sometimes happen.

So what happens if they get it wrong? Can you have the police report changed?

Why police reports are important

Police reports can contain a ton of information, including:

• Approximate date, time, and location of the accident
• Name and contact information of the parties involved
• Name and contact information of any witnesses to the accident
• Location of any damage to the vehicles involved
• The weather, road, and lighting conditions at the scene
• A diagram of the accident
• Photographs of the scene
• Statements from the parties and witnesses
• Citations and/or violations of law
• The opinion of the officer as to the cause of the accident

Insurance companies put a lot of stock in police reports. Not only are police officers seen as credible, impartial observers, but police reports are generally written within a few days of the accident based on notes taken by the officer at the scene of the accident.

As a result, police reports represent a fresh recollection of the important events, as opposed to the testimony of the parties and witnesses, which often comes weeks, months, or even years later.

Can I change the information in a police report?

In general, police reports can be amended. Whether or not a police officer is willing to amend a police report, however, depends a lot on what type of information they’re being asked to change:

• Factual errors. Police officers are generally willing to change factual errors that can be easily verified. For example, if the police report states the wrong date of the accident or misspells the name of one of the parties, a correction may be possible.
• Disputed information. Disputed information, such as the cause of the accident or a description of the driver’s behavior following the accident, are much less likely to be changed.

Advice for requesting a police report change

When asking a police officer to amend their accident report, keep the following tips in mind:

• Be polite. You have a much better chance of getting a police officer to change a police report if you treat the officer with kindness and respect.
• Provide documentation. Police officers are reluctant to change information based on telephone calls or emails from strangers. To increase your chances of having a police report changed, be ready to provide evidence supporting the requested change.
• Act quickly. Unfortunately, police officers respond to and write reports for hundreds of car accidents every year. You’ll stand a better chance of having your police report changed (or getting the officer to return your calls for that matter) if you contact the officer soon after the accident.

How to improve the accuracy of your police report

A lot’s going on after a car accident and your focus probably isn’t necessarily on the responding officer and whatever notes they’re jotting down in their notepad. However, once your safe, it’s important to approach the officer and provide them with as much detailed information as possible so the officer can include it in their report.

If there is a specific piece of information you believe should be in the report (perhaps your child in the car is experiencing back pain because of the accident), it’s okay to politely ask the officer to add it to the report. Similarly, if there’s something you think the officer missed (such as a witness standing off to the side or an open beer bottle the at-fault driver tossed into the woods), you should bring it to the officer’s attention and ask that it be added to the report. However, it’s important to avoid being pushy or arguing with the officer.

The bottom line is that it’s much easier to contribute to the police report while it’s being written than it is to change what the report says down the road.

Reader Interactions

March 26, 2020 at 2:53 am

I’m just saying someone I know was in a car accident in which the other person in the vehicle in front of my friend vehicles was driving through the green light and just stop suddenly on my friend because they didn’t know which way to turn but there was another vehicle behind my friend he couldn’t stop if the vehicle behind him would run in my friend vehicle back and the vehicle in front tell my friend that their insurance was left at their home and give the police wrong information about the accident now my friend is trying to get police report amend

Ian Pisarcik says

March 30, 2020 at 7:27 pm

Sorry this happened to you. Thanks for the comment.

Christina says

May 11, 2020 at 5:56 pm

Not concerning a car accident it’s in a sock is our neighbor came over here and assaulted us one please agency handle that and then the sheriffs took over for some reason they have their address as where the assault happened and they’re doing 50-50 responsibility and unfortunately for them we have cameras around the whole entire house documenting the whole thing it was not 50-50 he came over here and assaulted us they only looked at one angle they said they couldn’t see it I had a whole Nother angle and it’s

Melissa Gold says

May 14, 2020 at 5:16 pm

Hi, Christina. It sounds like there are several sides to this story, but I’m glad to hear that you have law enforcement involved. Video surveillance footage can be excellent as evidence, so it’s a good idea to let law enforcement know that there are cameras on the property. Best of luck dealing with this situation. I hope that you’re able to stay safe and that the matter is resolved.

Jeanette Henderson says

May 19, 2020 at 5:20 am

Yes Mr and my friend had just left church. And the light told us to walk after we began to walk a truck came from another way and decide to turn. I was carrying a wheel basket with come clothes in it and was hit from the side. Truck kept going and hit my friend.knock her in the air. When the amberlance came they took my friend to er.sense the hospital was 3 minutes away I walked. And got check out. The police aske me what happens. I told her we both got hit by the truck but she was the one who got knock up in the air. When the report was written I was not included in the report at all. I went to the police department talk to the police and she change the report and gave me a copy to give to my lawyer. I found out later that the report was not change at all

May 22, 2020 at 11:50 am

Thanks for the comment, Jeanette. Hopefully, in this situation, your lawyer was able to talk to the police officer and either get him to testify to the fact that you were also struck by the truck.

Catherine says

July 11, 2020 at 10:29 am

My name is Catherine Bajrami, I was slapped in the face by my neighbor, I called the police, and they just wanted to let it go. I said no, I want her arrested for assault, I’m disabled. So they arrested both of us. I never touched this person, I did the right thing. I read the police report yesterday, and it says , the neighbor pushed me , and I slapped her. All untrue, the neighbor slapped me in the face, this was over a parking dispute. Me, and the neighbor apologized to each other the next day at home. So much more happened at the police station, but this one is about the police report, Can I get the report fixed to state the right information. I want to be a foster mom , this report may affect this..

Carolyn says

August 13, 2020 at 6:12 pm

I was in an accident on May 26th and i just noted that on the report it stated observation of drinking in which i don’t drink the other driver was at fault so when the officer walked up to my car I was clearly upset and crying and I was driven to the hospital in an ambulance but I wasn’t given a breathalyzer on the scene or hospital but he stated this was his observation how can I get this amended

August 14, 2020 at 11:37 am

You can contact the officer whose name is listed on the police report and ask that they amend the report. However, the police report is the officer’s opinion and therefore the officer doesn’t have to change the report.

August 19, 2020 at 5:49 pm

This information is helpful, I just received my accident report, after waiting 3 weeks. If has several inaccuracies- including the direction I was traveling, and they stated no one was hurt, but an ambulance came for me and inspected me on scene. I have several witnesses, I have a time stamp from a salon down the road from which I was traveling home, literally 4 min away. I am nervous to call and speak with the officer. I don’t want to be accusatory, but I need these details corrected….

August 20, 2020 at 11:15 am

You can certainly request that the officer change the police report. However, you should also be aware that the officer has no obligation to change the police report. Fortunately, police reports are not irrefutable under the law. In other words, judges and juries don’t have to agree with the conclusions made in a police report (in fact, police reports are rarely admissible in court). Rather, you can present your own evidence to insurance companies, judges, and juries.

Vell Willis says

October 13, 2020 at 10:32 am

I was in a accident a year ago. The semitrucker was put at fault on original report. The police officer changed the report (put me at fault) and then got a new job at another county as a state trooper. The original office stated they could not change it and to contact him. He never responded from his new job to why he changed report. I stated the semi trucker was driving crazy and made a UTurn and hit me. Trucker also drove maybe 100 yards away from scene of accident. He changed it because he claims that is unlikely because i should have been behind the truck at stop sign. The police diagram is wrong also. I also said he may have been drunk or etc. Driver was not tested cause he was put at fault. No lawyer wants to take this case cause the change in the report.

October 13, 2020 at 10:49 am

Unfortunately, a police officer does not have to change their report. What’s more, a police officer is highly unlikely to change their report unless they’re presented with additional evidence.

Fortunately, police reports are not binding on liability and, in most cases, aren’t admissible in court. With that being said, a lawyer (particularly those who work on a contingent-fee basis) may refuse to take your case if they don’t think there is enough evidence to support your version of events. The only thing you can really do is continue to seek out attorneys until you find one willing to represent you. You might consider contacting the legal clinic at your local law school. Sometimes these clinics take on cases that attorneys in the field are unwilling to take on.

Mickie says

October 23, 2020 at 7:16 pm

My boyfriend was in a accident in my car I made the police report and they have me as the driver but I wasn’t I am the owner but the accident info is correct just the party’s involved arent

October 26, 2020 at 10:40 am

If you were not the driver, I would contact the police department and ask them to change the report.

February 22, 2021 at 1:57 pm

Do officers have the right to change the words in a written statement given to them by the driver in a auto accident ? Is it legal to say that the drivers statement was as follows , when I know I did not write that ?

peter a. jones says

March 5, 2021 at 2:32 am

police investigating were still on coffee and doughnut break

Michael Potiez says

March 26, 2021 at 12:32 am

I was re-ended and police sided with the guy who hit me events. As I was driving a guy blew past me beyond the solid yellow line to my left as we both travels South. A minute later the lane opened up to become two lanes. I began moving up on the right to pass. The driver in the left lane moved over seeing I was about to pass and caused me to hop the curb and travel 30 ft before coming off. I started to slightly fishtail as I came off the curb back onto the road. I then applied my brakes and this guy must have been right on my ass because he hit me.

I called police and they came out where this guy told the officer “as the road separated into two lane I was behind him (me) who went into the right lane. I (HIM) went into the left lane traveling 35-45mph and proceeded to pass him (me). I then moved over into the right lane in front of him (me) when he sped up around me and into my lane then proceeded to slam on the brakes causing the accident.

TWO ISSUES WITH THIS STORY.

He says this was achieved in a total distance of 232 ft. Yet for one car to pass (his) as he claimed in his story takes roughly 245ft. In other qords it is impossible for all those moves to have been made by over 100ft.

Issue number 2, even though marks prove I went up onto the curb, they made no mention of it until the investigating officer asked him “At what point did he (me) go up onto the curb?” Feeding him the details to rearrange the details in the events of what took place.

I mentioned this to the officers and they still sided with his version of events. I wrote a formal written complaint, and they told me his “findings were appropriate.” Yet science says otherwise. Common sense says otherwise.

Police and their refusal to properly investigate cost me $600 a year more added to my insurance. I hate the police because they never think they are wrong even when you can prove it is impossible for the events to have occurred. POLICE MUST BE DEFUNDED OR CITIZENS MUST BE ABLE TO HAVE A WAY TO CORRECT THEIR FAULTY INVESTIGATIONS THROUGH A BOARD OTHER THAN ONE RAN BY POLICE. THIS IS NOT JUSTICE WHEN A GUY CAN RUN YOU OFF THE ROAD, LIE TO POLICE AND YOU HAVE CLEAR EVIDENCE YOUR VERSION OF EVENTS ARE TRUTH AND THE OTHER PARTY LIED, YET STILL END UP PAYING FOR THEIR MISTAKE! Until then, every American will lose in the end due to incompetence and too much pride.

Ryan Ham says

March 27, 2021 at 5:49 am

I forgot to Mention an extremely important detail to an officer I spoke to over the phone how do I get back in contact with him so can properly reassess my situation with this new detail in mind

Shonia says

March 29, 2021 at 12:16 pm

I got my crash report and almost everything is wrong. I was hit from behind by a new black Yukon in the report it says I was hit by silver 03 Yukon and there was a passenger in his car report says no. Within minutes there were 5 sheriffs vehicles around us the report says nothing about this.. This happened in September 2020. Is there anything I can do at this point.

March 30, 2021 at 11:07 am

You can ask the responding officer to change the police report. However, the report is unlikely to be changed unless you have strong evidence supporting the need to change report.

Keep in mind that crash reports are not determinative (and generally not admissible) in court, so the fact that the report is wrong may not hurt your case.

April 19, 2021 at 7:19 am

Not accident related but I find myself being charges with malicious acts! I was a legal guardian for the state (Michigan) and now stand accused of stealing from and taking advantage of my clients. The reports are wrote up to paint me in the worst shade possible and a lot of the basic information is incorrect. Locations, comments and other details and assumptions are all false! How can this be ‘expert witness testimony’ if most of it is inaccurate?

April 19, 2021 at 10:15 am

I’m sorry this happened to you.

I’m not sure what reports you’re referring to, but keep in mind that police reports are not binding on the court and are rarely admissible in court. What’s more, in any court hearing, you’ll have an opportunity to respond to experts reports with your own experts.

caroline holliier says

April 19, 2021 at 3:19 pm

I have an old police report that the officer has since retired. The CARFAX company ONLY relies on the police report NOT the insurance company information.. This proves that the damage to my car was in fact MINOR and only cost $641 to repair the bumper. I do not know what to do to get this removed from the CARFAX –they have said they will only accept an amended police report. I sent them all the information from the insurance claim including photos, estimates, and payout amount.

August 27, 2021 at 6:21 pm

Adding my name on a car accident report is my lawyers job right?

August 31, 2021 at 5:52 pm

If you have a lawyer, I would talk to your lawyer about adding your name to the police report. With that being said, it’s not necessary that your lawyer add your name, as this is something a non-lawyer is permitted to do.

Joe Martinrezca says

September 7, 2021 at 6:43 am

My spouse and I had an argument. When I grabbed her phone I got a 1/4 inch scratch on my arm. I have picture so did the police. The report days I got a SUBSTANCUAL injury and that I said I had to fight her off. I never said that. There are other things I don’t agree to. She charged with battery! Already did affidavit. How do I amend the report in Georgia

September 7, 2021 at 6:28 pm

You can contact the responding officer and explain that you would like to amend the report. Before you contact the officer, write down the date of the incident and the changes you want to make. Keep in mind that the officer does not have to change the report. What’s more, officers rarely change a police report unless there is strong evidence to suggest the information in the report is incorrect.

September 14, 2021 at 1:56 pm

I was involved in an accident that resulted in no injuries but caused significant damage to the front of my vehicle and the rear of the other. The trooper that wrote the report got everything backwards. He reported damage to the rear of my car and the front of the other, he reported our accounts (although similar) backwards etc. he basically filled the report out and then wrote the other drivers name in place of mine and mine his. I’ve tried to contact the office of the state patrol he works for as well as him but no one will do anything. Now the insurance companies are pointing the finger at me based on the report. What can I do?!

Donna Legal Issues says

October 31, 2021 at 5:56 pm

Hum, all good information good thing I found this site, my accident just happen on 09/09/2021, once I got the police report, boy were there mistakes made wrong names, plus the fact nowhere in that report were our statements, plus the fact there were two police officers who arrived, one male who arrived 1st, was the one who took our statements the female officers came shortly after the male officers did, she was with the other vehicle and she is the only one who did this report, so now I will ask for an “Amended Report” since omissions in her report is missing along with wrong names and of course also missing witness thank God I have their names as well. Have already spoken with my insurance company and the other vehicles insurance company as well. And it is a good thing we got photos of the whole area. I just hope this officers does amend her report if not, can the police department be held accountable for misrepresentation of a legal document, since insurance companies do uses them if your statement of a police report is hearsay and is not admissible in court than why do insurance companies use them?

P. Oter says

November 14, 2021 at 3:14 am

I’ve never done meth in all my life. My ex told the police officer I not only did but had a history of it. Needless to say when I read it I was furious. I tried contacting the luitenant several times, went down in person, wrote him a letter. I asked him how his officer could state I had a history of a drug I never used and wheres the history?? No charges or dismissals, nothing. The police officer was rude even though I was the one who was beaten. He was a woman hater and proved it by writing lies on his report without even checking the facts.. Unfortunately in Utah police protect each other and there are many horror stories. I even talked to the city manager and he was supposed to get back with me and never did. Because they thought I was this meth addict, the prosecutor dropped his charges (which have nothing to do with being beaten again by this man) and I have him on a recording saying that my “meth abuse” had a lot to do with it. I have recordings of all of them and their failure to protect the victim and let the monster go free. Nothing happened and it’s a tragedy. Not only for me but for the women who will not be heard that get beaten and have a drug addiction. There is no justice or help for them. And that’s sad.

November 15, 2021 at 8:34 am

Hi, P. I’m so sorry you’re dealing with so much. First, I’d like to make sure you are safe. If you are not safe, please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). There are counselors and resources available to help you. I really appreciate your sharing your story with our readers. Yes, we do see injustices of all kinds every day, and I wish there was a solution but I don’t know what it is, unfortunately. However, if you need a lawyer you can also contact your state or local bar association (here’s how: https://www.enjuris.com/personal-injury-law/state-bar-association-directory.html ) for low-cost assistance. Be well and stay safe.

Angela Snow says

January 21, 2022 at 3:57 pm

I had a police say I was talking on the phone, careless driving, then rear ended a semi truck, and after that I sped up when you all know when you rear end something you slow down but I sped up jumped across 3 lanes flying through the air falling down a slight decline across a GA fence the across a field where a nice solid tree stopped me. So while I’m in the hospital still in shock and I had said I was on the phone talking about way earlier saying my sugar was dropping he put together the truck driver just said I hit him he said and threw the rest in my mouth when the truck driver hit me and then he came to the hospital gave me a paper where my totaled car was where I knew no one and a driving on phone careless driving and rear ended a semi ticket while getting x-rayed I was blessed with only a scratch but had to sleep in er waiting room on 11/27/21 in Adel GA I drove a black Chevy Trax no witnesses he said.

Mbearz says

January 28, 2022 at 7:11 am

I stupidly allowed person to use .y rental car. Their car was towed in the meantime and even tho they were told for 2 days multiple times that it was going to happen and to come get the car, they didn’t and blamed me for the tow and refused to return the car. They came to my house to yell at me for it and then proceeded to take the car from there and it wasn’t returned for 2 months. I told the officer they took the car but I gave the wrong dates and I got charged with false police report. It’s all on camera, when I let them and when they actually stole it. What can I do? They need to be charged so the fees I had to pay Enterprise can be dropped. But, I’m afraid I will go to jail. They didn’t file the report but now the police are asking me to confirm some things on the report.and I am scared to get in trouble again.

February 6, 2022 at 1:37 am

So I got into a car accident with a city vehicle The sweetie vehicle made a left turn and I Was going straight I didn’t seem turning because there was a car in the intersection that was blocking my view But I had to ride away The officer that showed up to the scene told me that the witness had said that the light was yellow And on the police report he wrote that the witness had said that the lite was red But yet at the time of the accident he told me that the witness said that the light was yellow what should I do in this situation

Brandi says

February 11, 2022 at 12:45 pm

I was involved in a accident Jan 2022. I was sitting at a red little over a minute with my left blinker on, then lights turned green on both sides of intersection and then I slowly let off breaks to where the white line in the road was between my 4 tires as I was yielding to on coming traffic, then boom I get hit while I’m yielding. I was in distraught the whole time I was there and afterwards. Officer asked what happened,I said, I was stopped and was hit, and I brought up the sign above the light for people that need to turn left,that they need to yield on green. 30 mins pass by he gives me a ticket for not yielding. I didn’t ask any questions of why I’m getting a ticket for something I didn’t do, although She hit me. There was no yelling or exchange of any words between her and I at all. I literally was in complete shock, which I have never been in my life. I had to have my friend that showed up to take pictures for me bc I couldn’t do it, I felt numb. 9-10 day’s later, I did the recorded statement for my insurance. We have the same insurance company. Told them what happened, and she told me that I need to amend the police report. I had no idea what that was and didn’t know that was available to someone that was in my situation. I reached out to officer through text, that I need to amend the report that he wrote.he said, It depends, if it hasn’t been sent to DPS already. What change needs to be made? I said, ok, & that however it came out, obviously wasn’t correct, perhaps a misunderstanding, not really sure, but I definitely wasn’t in the wrong. I need to change that you said.. I was “traveling” to turn left and I failed to yield on green light. & I said, I was at a dead stop already at the red light at a complete stop, so I wasn’t traveling at all and report said I was going 35 mph? Incorrect… That’s what I need to have amend on report. I went to court yesterday, can pled no contest so it wouldn’t be on my driving record, although I’m not at fault. I can’t afford an attorney. Wish I could.

Deborah Lee Geffert says

February 16, 2022 at 4:22 pm

My car was smashed, totally in July of 20

I’ve been given the run around for long enough. I was injured but that doesn’t seem to matter.

Driver was intoxicated. And I can’t seem to get proper representation for this life altering experience

I just heard from the State Police station that they didn’t even do an accident report. Not did they arrest the drunken driver that hit me.

What am I supposed to do now? I have no money for another car. And my injuries are horrible and so very very painful

Please help me

Colleen Dudash says

February 26, 2022 at 9:22 am

My accident happened on April25th 2019 in the city of Kirtland Ohio. I was driving home from work and was stopped at a red light with 2 white cars ahead of me and 1 car turning left at green arrow. My car was parked behind the do not block sign so I had another full car length or so in front of me. My light turned green however the 2 white cars didn’t move. I stayed put and started to count 101, 1002 , 103 , 1004 , 1005..Bam I got crushed into the car ahead.of.me..My body slammed left into my door..the crushing continued and didn’t let up. Finally it was.quite. The car behind me was.a.Kia Sorento beige in color. No one in the window behind me..she was on the floor. She popped up and mouth I’m sorry. The police came and would.not.talk with me. Ambulance took me to Hillcrest Hospital. After my discharge I went to the Kirtland Poli e station to pick.up my car keys. They gave me a speeding ticket and.said.I caused the accident. Couldn’t believe this..I sat down and wrotea statement. The only person who did. Everything was incorrect on the crash report..wrong name of person who caused this accident, wrong make and model of car. Wrong serial number wrong on too many areas including speed of my vehicle which should.have been 0. New Chief McCallister said he would look into this and call.me.back later on Wednesday..never called back. The other Chief.of Kirtland got let go because of corruption. Hopefully they can support me with a supplemental report. This has caused me and my family too much stress.

April 4, 2022 at 8:49 pm

I had an officer make false/misleading and bias statements on a general incident report; some of which are damaging to my character. I assume this was in (childish) retaliation to my going above his head to request a report be written when he refused. What is the best course of action to have this amended? (Note: I have video documentation that confirms his statement to be false.)

April 5, 2022 at 9:47 am

Hello, there. It’s possible to request amendments to a police report, but they are usually only accepted if there’s a factual inaccuracy. A police report is intended to present the facts of an accident or incident — if it’s a car accident, for example, it would include information like the positions of the car(s) involved, conditions of the drivers, and other factors that could have affected how the accident happened. If there is information that is factually false, you could go to the police station and request a change. If you can’t reach satisfaction that way, you can contact a lawyer ( https://www.enjuris.com/personal-injury-law-firms/ ) for additional guidance on how to proceed.

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• Oct 5, 2022

How Long Does It Take to Get a Police Report After an Accident? Have Anxiety No More!

No one is ever ready to be in a car accident. It's an unexpected phenomenon that is incredibly convenient, and even sometimes fatal for the drivers involved. Some car accident victims never return to having a normal life, which is why personal injury attorneys are so important in ensuring they get the compensation they deserve.

Police officers play a big role in this process. The relevant police department (based on the location in which the accident occurred) will typically dispatch an officer upon being called about an accident.

The responding officer will typically investigate things and take a statement from the parties involved in the automobile accident.

This will lead to a police report being compiled, which is essential in a successful claim. Waiting on it can be nerve-racking. Here's some useful information to help with understanding how long it takes to get a police report.

What Kind of Information Is Typically In The Accident Report?

While different police departments have different standards, the details of the crash report tend to be similar. The idea is to give an impartial account of events. Expect to see the following information:

The driver's license number for each driver involved

Statements made by the drivers involved

Insurance company information for all drivers involved

An assessment of the road conditions

Any notable physical observations

Citations issued and who may have received them

Location of the accident

Vehicle information

After a car accident, both the victim's attorney and the offender's attorney will try to incorporate the police report into their respective strategies.

The Police Officer Portion

One of the misconceptions that people have after being in an accident is that the officer who took the statements is the sole party to handle the drafting of the final document.

While there is no single defined process, police reports tend to pass through different phases before it's made available.

Note, however, that whichever officer was responsible for the initial phase likely completed the report three to five business days after the car accident happened.

Whatever process the police department has typically determines what comes after, though some may even have procedures at the first stage that cause different timelines.

The Available Details of the Car Accident

It's very common for people in a car accident to believe that they can trust others, and it often leads to undesirable circumstances.

The police officer provides an impartial element that's necessary for these kinds of scenarios. Apart from not doing what they say or acting unethically, people involved in accidents often see a single perspective and it's the one that makes them right.

In fact, drivers with some existing vehicle damage may try to get another party's insurance provider to cover it by passing it off as a part of the accident.

Personal injury matters get messy. It's the balance provided by law enforcement that makes the police report so important. Furthermore, certain types of claims such as those associated with death-based claims, cannot go forward without a police report.

Policies of the Law Enforcement Agency

As indicated before, the way things are handled by the authorities has a heavy influence on when the police report is received.

However, what people don't realize is that they can find out how it works, along with the expected timelines. Locate and reach out to the appropriate law enforcement agency to find out what the procedures and associated expectations are.

Why Should You Get a Police Report When an Accident Occurs?

A car accident is typically synonymous with injuries, some of which can be incredibly severe. The police report acts as definitive proof that there were injuries and damages that directly resulted from the crash.

While it's nice to get medical bills paid after being injured, getting compensated for the said payments gets hard if proving that the injuries even happened poses a challenge.

A combination of documentation from a medical professional and the police report would make this process much easier for your Des Moines auto accident lawyer .

Is an Accident Report and a Police Report The Same Thing?

This is a common misconception since people hear the word "report" and they both have to do with car accidents.

The police report is the one that has been covered until now. Law enforcement prepares it on the scene or afterward, depending on the situation.

An accident report is typically a state requirement and is filed by drivers. It's usually advisable to find out what Department of Transportation (DOT) or Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) requirements are in the applicable state.

Is a Police Report Always Necessary?

Not necessarily. States will usually have conditions under which the police must be contacted. In Iowa, for example, in the absence of injury, death, and property damage over $1,500, no contact is required.

As far as cases go, some claims can technically take place without a police report, but it's always a good idea to ensure one is done for the best possible outcome, especially if you were in an accident with a leased car .

Think about The Insurance Company Side of Things

This feeds into what was said earlier. When an insurance claim is submitted, a police report is often required. If the circumstances of the accident meet a certain threshold, it becomes mandatory.

Requesting Police Reports in Iowa

Bear in mind that you can request a preliminary report for your case, which is usually sufficient if the full police report is not ready.

The request process starts with the identification of the appropriate law enforcement agency. Next, reach out to understand the process and the methods of delivery.

Note the information required on the request form and fill it out as accurately as possible before submitting it. Ensure that you keep it handy and safe. You may also want to make a note of your report number.

Allow an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney to Help You Secure Your Police Accident Report and More!

Getting a police report after an accident can often feel like a chore. Even when the process is understood, the waiting process is almost unbearable.

An expert attorney can help you secure it from law enforcement, so the claim will not be hindered from that end.

Schedule a free consultation today with a top-rated Iowa lawyer from Tom Fowler Law by calling (515) 203-8434!

• Personal Injury
• Car Accident
• Truck Accident

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Justin Timberlake Returns to New York to Perform After DWI Charge: A Timeline of Events Surrounding His Arrest

Justin timberlake charged with dwi in the hamptons, michael j. fox surprises glastonbury crowd by playing guitar for coldplay, jamie foxx finally shares details behind medical emergency that landed him in hospital, halsey samples britney spears' 'lucky' in new 2000s-inspired era for upcoming album, inside nick cannon and bre tiesi's $20k birthday party for son legendary love (exclusive), inside khloé kardashian's blowout 40th birthday party, shaboozey and j-kwon on surprise 'tipsy' collab performance at bet awards (exclusive), watch pink's touching chat with daughter willow about leaving mom's tour for acting, stevie nicks reacts to taylor swift dedicating songs to her at dublin eras show, tiktok food review star keith lee reacts to viral success and shares big dreams (exclusive), nick cannon explains why he insured his private parts (exclusive), dj mustard explains backstory on kendrick lamar's 'not like us' drake diss track (exclusive), ‘90 day fiancé’: kobe has 'emotional breakdown' during goodbye to his family, t.i. and 8-year-old daughter heiress react to potential reality tv return (exclusive), watch nelly shock ashanti with surprise baby shower, kirk franklin says will smith is channeling ‘redemption and growth’ in their bet awards performance, taylor swift reacts to travis kelce seemingly surprising her at eras tour in dublin, pat tillman's mother upset and 'shocked' over prince harry's espys award, 'my big fat fabulous life's whitney thore reveals hate-mail nearly drove her to suicide (exclusive), fridayy on how will smith collaboration happened (exclusive), victoria monét and teyana taylor recreate usher and beyoncé's 2004 bet awards performance, justin timberlake was arrested on june 18, and was arraigned later that day at the sag harbor village justice court on long island, ny..

Justin Timberlake  returned to New York just over a week after his arrest for allegedly driving while intoxicated in the Hamptons . 

However, the singer was hours away from where he was arrested and, instead, inside Madison Square Garden, where he performed two shows for the New York City leg of his  Forget Tomorrow World Tour  on June 25th and 26th. 

They're the latest string of shows since he resumed the tour on June 21 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, and emotionally addressed his "tough week." 

The 43-year-old pop star bowed down to the roaring crowd and appeared to wipe away a tear after sharing the emotionally taxing week following his arrest in Sag Harbor, New York, where he was placed under arrest and charged with driving while intoxicated in the early hours of June 18. The NSYNC singer is due back in court next month.

The arrest came just after the singer celebrated Father's Day , with wife  Jessica Biel  exalting him as "the rock" of the family on which they lean on in a post dedicated to him . The actress was spotted filming scenes some two and a half hours south of the Hamptons in New York City's Central Park on June 17, just prior to Timberlake's arrest. 

ET is breaking down the events that led up to his arrest and the ensuing fallout.

Justin Timberlake celebrates Father's Day

Both Timberlake and Biel took to social media to celebrate the holiday. The "SexyBack" singer posted two photos of his and Biel's children -- sons Silas, 9, and Phineas, 3.

In his caption , Timberlake called them his "2 greatest gifts."

"I learn more about myself everyday just because you both chose me to be your Daddy," he added, in part. "I will always be there for you through your peaks and valleys.... to lift you up and show you how high you can take this life and to pick you up when you fall."

Biel's carousel post included photos of Timberlake horsing around with the kids. In her caption , she referred to him as "THE ROCK. The rock we climb on, we lean against. The rock that shades us from the sun."

Following his arrest, comments on both posts have been limited.

Justin Timberlake hangs out with friends at a boutique hotel

According to TMZ , Timberlake was hanging out with friends on the night of Monday, June 17 at The American Hotel, a boutique establishment that also offers a 75-foot yacht for rent.

TMZ also reported, citing sources, that Timberlake's friends -- the ones he had been hanging out with at the hotel -- raced to the scene and tried convincing cops to give him a break, to no avail. It should be noted that the police report, later obtained by ET, made no mention of this claim.

A source later told ET, "Justin was with his friends [Monday] night at American Hotel and really enjoying himself. He seemed a little tipsy and drunk, but not in a belligerent way. When he left and got in his car, he revved his engine a few times."

Another source tells ET, "Justin and his party arrived after 10 p.m. and were full of energy. He was with a group of around 6-7 people including men, women and some young adults.There wasn't anyone in the dining room, but there were a few people still drinking at the bar. It was surprising to see them show up so late because the restaurant was pretty much closed by the time they got there."

Jessica Biel is less than three hours away in Central Park

Meanwhile, Biel was  working and filming scenes for her new Prime Video series, The Better Sister . ET obtained photos of the 42-year-old actress in medieval costume on the set in Central Park. She wore a white top, blue bodice and tan skirt as she shot scenes for the thriller alongside co-stars Corey Stoll and Elizabeth Banks.

Between takes, the 7th Heaven star was seen carrying a script and sipping a drink while wearing more casual clothes.

The Better Sister  follows "Chloe (Biel), who moves through the world with her handsome lawyer husband, Adam, and teenage son Ethan by her side while her estranged sister, Nicky (Banks), hustles to make ends meet while trying to stay clean," per the series' description. "When Adam is brutally murdered, the prime suspect sends shockwaves through the family, laying bare long-buried secrets."

Justin Timberlake's arrest report

A spokesperson for the Sag Harbor Police Department tells ET that cops observed Timberlake on June 18 at approximately 12:37 a.m. driving a 2025 gray BMW southbound on Madison Street. Cops say he failed to stop at a duly posted stop sign and he failed to stay in his lane.

"A traffic stop was initiated by a Police Officer from the Sag Harbor Village Police Department and upon investigation it was determined that Mr. Timberlake was operating his vehicle in an intoxicated condition," the statement continued. "Mr. Timberlake was placed under arrest, processed, and held overnight for morning arraignment. Mr. Timberlake was arraigned at the Sag Harbor Village Justice Court on June 18, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. where he was released on his own recognizance."

Timberlake's lawyer, defense attorney Edward Burke Jr., confirmed to ET that the singer was charged with one count of DWI and cited for running a stop sign and failure to keep in his lane. He's due back in court virtually on July 26.

According to the police report obtained by ET, cops say Timberlake was observed "traveling southbound on Madison Street, a public highway in the village of Sag Harbor." Cops say they observed Timberlake fail to stop at a posted stop sign at Madison Street and Jermaine Avenue at approximately 12:17 a.m."

One minute later, cops say they observed Timberlake "fail to keep the right side of the roadway on Madison Street with a cross street of Forrest Street, and again at Madison Street with a cross street of Susan Street." At this point, cops say they pulled the singer over and "upon contact with [Timberlake] it was ascertained that [he] was operating said vehicle in intoxicated conditions, in that his eyes were bloodshot and glassy, a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage was emanating from his breath, he was unable to divide attention, he had slowed speech, he was unsteady afoot, and he performed poorly on all standardized field sobriety tests."

At 12:37 a.m., cops note in the police report that they placed Timberlake under arrest and he was taken to police headquarters where he was processed and booked. Cops say "the alcohol influence report was read in its entirety to [him] at [12:52 a.m.], to which [Timberlake] responded, 'No, I'm not doing a chemical test.' The alcohol influence report was read in its entirety a second time at [1:07 a.m.], to which [Timberlake] responded, 'I refuse.' The alcohol influence report was read in its entirety a third time [at 1:22 a.m.], to which [Timberlake] responded, 'I refuse.'"

Cops also note in the police report that Timberlake made the following admission, "I had one martini and I followed my friends home." 

Justin Timberlake spotted leaving jail

Hours after his arrest, Timberlake was spotted leaving jail. The "Cry Me a River" singer looked relaxed as he exited the facility. He wore a long black dress shirt, a gray shirt, jeans and white Nikes. He also had a black ball cap on and shades.

At one point, it appeared as if Timberlake was smiling as he walked to his waiting vehicle.

Justin Timberlake's mugshot released

Timberlake's mugshot was released hours after his arraignment for a DWI charge June 18  in Sag Harbor, New York. He looks somber in his mugshot. 

According to the police report, police noted that "upon contact with [Timberlake] it was ascertained that [he] was operating said vehicle in intoxicated conditions, in that his eyes were bloodshot and glassy, a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage was emanating from his breath, he was unable to divide attention, he had slowed speech, he was unsteady afoot, and he performed poorly on all standardized field sobriety tests."

Jessica Biel spotted smiling on set hours later

Hours after Timberlake's arrest,  Biel was photographed smiling  and laughing on the set of her Prime Video series  with other members of the cast and crew while shooting an outdoor scene in the Big Apple.

Biel, who appeared to be in good spirits, rocked a striped black and beige long-sleeve dress and a short 'do as she stood around between takes during production on the morning of June 18.

Justin Timberlake is 'remorseful'

On June 19,  a source told ET , "Justin is feeling remorseful, ashamed, and humiliated, but also accountable."

According to the source, Timberlake "does not believe he needs help when it comes to alcohol," instead viewing the incident as a "major lapse of judgement." 

"This situation has taken a toll on him, but he is trying to view it as a way that he can reset himself," the source added. "He does his best to set a positive example for himself, Jess, his family and the public, and will continue to try to learn and grow. He is taking this seriously and recognizes how it can impact his family dynamic as a husband and father, and his fans too." 

Meanwhile, Timberlake and Biel are remaining a unit following the incident.

"Justin and Jess are very grateful that no one was hurt and that everyone is OK and safe," the source continued. "Jess is definitely feeling disappointed, but she is by Justin’s side. She acknowledges that Justin, and all of us, are all human and make mistakes." 

Justin Timberlake addresses the arrest at his tour

Timberlake addressed his arrest during night one of his tour at United Center in Chicago. 

"We've been together through ups and downs and lefts and rights and, uh, it's been a tough week," Timberlake  says in video shared on social media . "But you're here. I'm here... I know sometimes I'm hard to love but you keep on loving me and I love you right back. Thank you so much."

In the middle of his remarks, Timberlake bowed down to the crowd after they gave him a roaring ovation. Following his remarks, Timberlake appeared to wipe away tears before inviting the crowd for a singalong. 

Justin Timberlake's bartender speaks out

Following his release, one of the bartenders at Sag Harbor's American Hotel confirmed Timberlake's arrest , but downplayed their role in the intoxicated events.

The bartender also told  People  that he served Timberlake just one martini before he left the venue. "If he was drinking more, it wasn't here," another employee told the outlet.

Justin Timberlake returns to social media 

The singer posted to social media for the first time since his arrest , appearing in an Instagram video as he showed off his new  Forget Tomorrow World Tour merch in honor of his only two shows at Madison Square Garden. The performer held up a T-shirt featuring the New York City tour dates and designed using the New York Knicks' colors, orange and blue. 

Jessica Biel joins Justin Timberlake backstage

In videos posted to Instagram, Biel and Timberlake had fun taste testing candy backstage while in Manhattan for the New York City leg of his tour. Other members of the tour team joined in on the fun and playfully took turns rating the candy. The longtime actress was also spotted in the audience of Tuesday's show with one of their sons. 

Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake are "doing just fine"

Just over a week after Timberlake's arrest, a source told ET that the singer and his famous wife are "doing just fine."

The source said that "they both know, and understand, that everyone makes mistakes and that mistakes don't define people. Jess knows that Justin is a great husband and dad, and a wonderful person with the best intentions."

The source added, "He is putting his energy into wowing his fans with incredible shows and trying to move on. Jess is feeling focused and centered while filming and not letting this situation derail her. Their kids are also at the forefront of their minds as always and they're protecting their children from any negative media attention."

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