Differences in Report Writing Documentation

Differences in Report Writing Documentation

Report writing is a central component of law enforcement functions besides investigations, pursuit, and apprehension of criminals. Law enforcers are required to write down the details for every call of service they make immediately for organizational memory. Reports documented by the police serve as evidence in a court of law, can be used to track down criminal trends and assist in the investigation process. The sacred duty of record keeping is emphasized in the Bible in the Book of Joshua, whereby it is written that it is only through record keeping that servants of God may prosper and attain success. This research paper specifically addresses the primary differences between misdemeanor and felony reports documentation. A misdemeanor is punishable through short jail sentences (less than a year) or fines, but a felony usually carries a jail sentence of one year or more. Furthermore, the paper will discuss, compare, and contrast external and internal reports and the respective audiences for these reports. The primary differences between misdemeanor and felony report documentation emanate from the legal processes involved and the severity of offenses. Need help with your assignment ? Reach out to us. We offer excellent services.

Primary Differences in Writing Documentation for Misdemeanor and Felony Investigations

One of the primary differences between misdemeanor and felony reporting is the body involved in reporting and documentation. Misdemeanors are recorded in police reports or incident reports after an offense. Misdemeanor reports include information about the individual involved, the circumstances surrounding the offending, and a record of evidence collected at the crime site (Wood et al., 2023). On the same breath, felonies are recorded in police reports, but details recorded involve extensive investigation due to the severity of such offenses. Unlike misdemeanors, when law enforcers investigate felonies, they are interested in further details, such as knowing the relationship between the offender and the victim, as with domestic violence cases that become felonies (Lippy, 2020). Establishing such a relationship goes a long way to help the police determine the motive of the offense, among other helpful investigative details.

Another significant difference in documentation between felonies and misdemeanors is the documentation used in the charging process. On the one hand, initiating a misdemeanor charge may occur through court summons, citations, or a formal complaint by a prosecutor or a police officer. These charges are often less formal and involve less documentation (Wood et al., 2023). On the other hand, felony charges are initiated through a prosecutor’s complaint, a formal indictment, or grand jury proceedings. Given the severity of felonies, the documentation involved is often formal and more extensive (Lippy, 2020). For instance, if the felony charge is murder, more documentation may be involved, including transcripts of tapes recorded during police investigation, crime scene pictures, and a record of the offender’s criminal history. Unlike misdemeanors, felonies require extensive support documents and evidence to sustain the charge in a court of law.

Consistently, the documents included in the investigation process leading to the eventual arrest of offenders differ between felonies and misdemeanors. The police do not require comprehensive documentation to effect an arrest, nor do law enforcers need to attach much-documented evidence while prosecuting a misdemeanor (Wood et al., 2023). In contrast, felonies often involve comprehensive documentation and support documents for an arrest to be effected. Some of the documentation and reporting requirements needed to effect an arrest in the case of a felony include search warrants, a record of witness statements, and subsequent trial records. More serious felony charges often last for years; hence, it is critical to keep records during trial, which will eventually inform the jury’s and judge’s ultimate decision and sentencing (Lippy, 2020). The case is different for misdemeanors, whereby an offender may be tried on the same day they offend and subsequently released with a promise that they will attend court proceedings.

Another significant difference between felonies and misdemeanors revolves around expungement and record sealing of the offenses. Many jurisdictions across the US offer a timeline within which criminal records may be expunged after an offender meets a specific criterion (Kurlychek & Martin, 2019). Expunging criminal records is vital as it helps offenders search for jobs and get other benefits without the burden of their criminal past. Some states allow the sealing of criminal records without permanent expungement, implying that the records will not be visible to the public, but authorities may access them (Kurlychek & Martin, 2019). For instance, in New York State, apart from marijuana offenses, former offenders cannot get their criminal history expunged (Kurlychek & Martin, 2019). Nonetheless, a criminal record may be sealed. The case is different for felonies, which are often more difficult to expunge or seal, and the requirements needed in jurisdictions where that is possible are stricter.

Differences in the Use of Internal and External Statements in Law Enforcement

According to Laufs and Waseem (2020), external and internal statements in law enforcement refer to how information is shared within the law enforcement department and with the public and external entities. On the one hand, internal statements are meant for internal consumption by law enforcement officers to improve internal performance. On the other hand, external statements are released to the public through various media platforms for scrutiny and to improve transparency. The primary differences between internal and external statements are based on the content, purpose, and respective audiences targeted by these statements.

The main difference between internal and external statements is the content espoused in these statements. On the one hand, internal statements incorporate sensitive or classified information regarding operational activities, sensitive investigation work, administrative issues, and personnel matters within the department (Laufs & Waseem, 2020). Such statements are often detailed and complex, and only the personnel within a police department may adequately fathom the content therein. On the other hand, the content included in external statements is often tailored to safeguard public safety (Laufs & Waseem, 2020). Some details that may be included in the external statement are community policing initiatives information, overall public safety, and crime prevention initiatives. The police approach these statements cautiously to avoid leaking sensitive investigations to the public and potential culprits, as this may undermine the whole investigative process. Most of the content in external statements is geared toward addressing transparency issues and bolstering public trust in law enforcement.

Another difference is the main purpose of these statements. On the one hand, internal statements are designed to facilitate coordination and information sharing within the department (Laufs & Waseem, 2020). The internal statements share critical information about strategy and operations, which goes a long way to ensure unified response across the departments. Adopting a uniform response to issues is important regardless of the personality differences between officers. For instance, in the aftermath of the infamous murder of George Floyd, which attracted significant public attention, some police departments had to internally communicate on how to implement future arrests. Although this may not necessarily be shared with the public, it goes a long way to alleviate impediments that may have led to the public outcry. In contrast, external statements provide the public with information, offer updates about ongoing investigations, and respond to media questions (Laufs & Waseem, 2020). Whereas the purpose of internal statements in law enforcement is coordination, external statements serve the transparency and public relations function.

Moreover, the legal implications of external and internal statements slightly differ. On the one hand, internal statements are not accessible to the public, limiting scrutiny and potential legal consequences. Nonetheless, in case of extreme law violation, internal statements may still be a subject of legal discussion. The case differs for external statements, which are subjected to constant public scrutiny. Therefore, individual officers and law enforcement agencies must be wary of the legality and accuracy of their utterances when issuing external statements. Irked individuals have a right to sue a department if their statements contradict the constitution and relevant laws that guide law enforcement functions.

Furthermore, law enforcement statements differ in terms of accountability and transparency. The transparency and accountability associated with internal statements often depend on the culture and policy directions of the department (Laufs & Waseem, 2020). Depending on the reigning circumstances, a department may disclose the content of internal statements to the public. However, no strict legal requirement or public expectations coerce them to do so. However, the case is different for external statements, which are fundamental to the transparency and accountability of the respective department. The statements are scrutinized by human rights bodies, police oversight organizations, and the general community (Laufs & Waseem, 2020). That means that the police can rely on external statements to build trust and confidence in law enforcement, and these statements may still be the reason for a department’s failure.

The Audience that Reviews External and Internal Law Enforcement Reports

The primary and sole audience of internal statements is the police department itself. Internal communication targets respective officers, investigators, and other personnel within the department involved in police work. Most agencies discourage their officers from sharing such information outside their workstations, making public access impossible. In contrast, external statements target the general public, media, and other entities outside that may be interested in police work. In the wake of police brutality in the US, some of the biggest consumers of external statements may include advocacy groups such as the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement.

Impact of Improper Documentation on Reporting and Investigation

Notably, police reports form the bedrock of the justice system. The notes law enforcers compile at the crime scene eventually become reports presented to district attorneys as the basis of a case. However, police operate under immense pressure; hence, improper documentation, such as poorly written notes, is possible. These errors may affect the commencement of trials. Common mistakes such as misspelled names, wrong plate numbers, and typos may impair the commencement of a case by a district attorney (DA), thereby impairing justice delivery.

Conclusion

The significance of reporting and documentation in law enforcement cannot be overstated. These reports include critical information about an offender, circumstances surrounding the offending, and relevant pieces of evidence collected at a crime scene. The extent of documentation depends on the severity of an offense and relevant legal requirements. As shown above, felonies and misdemeanors, offenses with fundamental differences in severity, require varying levels and quality of reporting/documentation. On the one hand, felonies that attract longer sentences require formal and extensive documentation, while misdemeanors require limited documentation efforts. Also notable is the need for law enforcers to deliver internal and external statements while delivering their duties. Internal statements help agencies ensure internal coordination and operational efficiency, while external statements serve the functions of public relations and transparency. To that end, law enforcers need to ensure accurate documentation, failure to which impedes justice delivery.

References

Kurlychek, M., & Martin, K. (2019). Impact of Criminal Record Sealing on State and National Estimates of Offenders and Their Offending Careers. https://www.ojp.gov/pdffiles1/bjs/grants/250561.pdf

Laufs, J., & Waseem, Z. (2020). Policing in pandemics: A systematic review and best practices for police response to COVID-19. International journal of disaster risk reduction, 51, 101812.

Lippy, C., Jumarali, S. N., Nnawulezi, N. A., Williams, E. P., & Burk, C. (2020). The Impact of Mandatory Reporting Laws on Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence: Intersectionality, Help-Seeking and the Need for Change. Journal of Family Violence, 35(3), 305–305. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-020-00136-6

Wood, J., Watson, A. C., Pope, L., Warnock, A., Nelson, V., Gesser, N., Zern, A., Stagoff-Belfort, A., Tan, J., & Compton, M. T. (2023). Contexts shaping misdemeanor system interventions among people with mental illnesses: qualitative findings from a multi-site system mapping exercise. 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40352-023-00219-8

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Differences in Report Writing Documentation

For this Research Paper: Differences in Report Writing Documentation Assignment, students will prepare a research paper. Thus far, in the course, you have learned about the information and documentation required to complete misdemeanor and felony investigations. Additionally, you have learned about the importance of both internal and external statements and/or reports and the circumstances under which both might be completed.
In this Research Paper: Differences in Report Writing Documentation Assignment – you should discuss the primary differences in report writing documentation for both misdemeanor and felony investigations. The Research Paper: Differences in Report Writing
The Documentation Assignment should also discuss, compare, and contrast the primary differences between the use of internal and external statements and/or reports and when both might be utilized, as well as the audience that might review either internal or external reports and investigations. All papers must be completed through the lens of a Biblical Worldview, and you will incorporate appropriate biblical passages and/or resources.
INSTRUCTIONS
The Research Paper: Differences in Report Writing Documentation Assignment must include the following elements:
 Title Page;
 Introduction;
 Body (including an Introduction, Body Paragraphs/Argument Section, and Conclusion);
and
 Reference Page
All components of the Research Paper: Differences in Report Writing Documentation Assignment must be written using current APA formatting and must specifically focus upon and discuss the topics listed above.
The title page must use proper formatting as set by the APA style guide. The Introduction must be between 150–250 words and provide a clear summary of the paper.
The body of the Research Paper: Differences in Report Writing Documentation Assignment must be comprised of 5–7 pages of content. The Title Page and Reference Page are not included in the page count. The introduction must include background information on the topics discussed, a well-written thesis statement, and a preview of points. The body must thoroughly discuss the elements listed, including the information that might be required to complete both misdemeanor and felony investigations. Additionally, the Research Paper: Differences in Report Writing Documentation Assignment should provide an in-depth discussion regarding the purpose of internal statements in comparison to external statements or reports and the circumstances under which either may be completed and submitted. Further, the Research Paper: Differences in Report Writing Documentation Assignment should discuss the CJUS 231
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The audience that might review these reports and the impact that improper documentation might have upon the report as well as the investigation.
The Reference Page must include at least 3 scholarly/industry sources published within the last five years. The sources must be cited both in the body of the paper as well as in the Reference Page. Biblical references do not count toward the citation requirement.