Research Paper- Differences in Report Writing Documentation

Differences in Report Writing Documentation

In the legal enforcement field, documentation is an utmost important factor that, if done accurately and comprehensively, would help in the achievement of justice as well as the maintenance of the credibility of investigations. Police report writing is one of the core components of police work as it fulfills the purpose of documentation, documentation of the collected evidence, and information sharing with other stakeholders. This research paper will, therefore, focus on the differences between report writing documentation for misdemeanor and felony investigations and the differences in the rules that pertain to each case. Moreover, it will discuss how internal and external statements/reports are different from each other, what their primary goals are, and who can be addressed to them. This way, the professionals in law enforcement shall be in a position to document their work comprehensively and, at the same time, clearly state the details of the report that are most important. This research will also look at the repercussions that might come with poor documentation and find ways of ensuring that documentation is done correctly to ensure the integrity of investigations is upheld and that the public has confidence in the legal process. In the course of this paper, the author shall employ a biblical perspective and the use of scriptures in order to support the cause of justice, truth, and accountability for the Police.

Misdemeanor vs. Felony Investigations: Documentation Differences

The criminal justice system distinguishes between two broad categories of offenses: Crimes that are considered misdemeanors and felonies. These classifications are not just nominal but accord substantial importance to the gravity of the crime, the possible penalty for the offender, and the extent of the probe. Misdemeanors, which are said to be less severe crimes than felonies, are usually punishable by fines or imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year (Dezember et al., 2022). Felonies, on the other hand, are grave offenses that indicate violence, a significant amount of money is stolen, or that the crime could cause substantial harm to the public. Such crimes usually attract a punishment of over one year, with some attracting a lifetime imprisonment (Dezember et al., 2022). These differences in severity affect the extent and aggressiveness of investigations, which in turn determine the documentation procedures for each category of case.

A misdemeanor investigation is not as broad in its reach as a felony investigation would be, for example. As with most misdemeanor cases, the investigations do involve the collection of facts, but the same is often not as intense as in felonious instances, and the witness interrogations are not as profound. This investigation may be mainly concerned with the circumstances of the incident, with an emphasis on the identification of the offender and substantiation of the factors constituting the offense. For instance, in a felony investigation, a homicide requires a broader and complex probe. Interviews may require the detectives to speak to many people, processing the crime scene may take a lot of time, analyzing the physical evidence, and maybe chasing the leads across different states. This is because the scope of the investigation has broadened and thus requires a better and more elaborate documentation process that can capture the investigation.

The specific documentation that is required for misdemeanor and felony investigations is as follows because of the difference in their complexity and possible outcomes. Arrest reports are one of the most common forms of police documentation which provide complete information about the arrest, the type of offense, the situation at the time of arrest and the collected evidence. Arrest reports of both misdemeanors and felonies contain the suspect’s name, date of birth, and address; however, there are significant differences in the level of detail provided by each kind of report. There are likely to be fundamental differences between misdemeanor arrest reports and felony arrest reports, with the former being possible to include only details of the arrest and the latter including more information on how the crime was investigated, the evidence found, and statements from the witnesses.

Misdemeanor and felony investigations require incident reports, which provide a comprehensive report of the event that occurred. These are official documents that act as the preliminary information source for the investigators, prosecutors, and all other concerned parties (Dezember et al., 2022). The extent of information that is necessary in the incident report depends on the degree of the offense that has been committed. For instance, a misdemeanor incident report for a minor traffic violation will be shorter than that of a felony incident report for robbery, especially when it comes to the description of the scene and the victim’s statement, as well as the collected evidence. In both instances, the report needs to be clear, concise, and factual so that a record of the event can be fully understood.

The process of documenting all the pieces of evidence that have been retrieved in the course of the investigation is helpful in guaranteeing the authenticity of the evidence and avoiding cases of alteration or destruction. As for both misdemeanors and felonies, the evidence is typically collected with the help of the so-called chain of custody, which shows who was handling the evidence and when from the time it was collected to the time it was presented in court. This system requires documentation of the transfers of proof in terms of date, time, and the people who conducted the transfer. There could be a difference in the extent to which evidential requirements are met in regard to the sort of evidence gathered and the gravity of the crime recorded. For instance, a misdemeanor drug possession case could entail a relatively uncomplicated chain of custody for a small number of drugs.

The narrative accounts by witnesses are instrumental in misdemeanor and felony investigations because they are first-hand sources of information. Witness statements are an essential part of the investigation and need to be gotten right and documented adequately. Police officers should not place leading questions to witnesses, and the conversation should be recorded without influencing the witness. The extent of information that may be provided in a witness statement may also depend on the nature of the offense, as well as the involvement of the witness in the occurrence. For instance, a bystander to a misdemeanor assault might give a short testimonial of a physical confrontation. In contrast, a bystander in a felony robbery might provide a detailed account of the suspect, the suspect’s actions, and features.

Internal vs. External Statements/Reports

Internal Reports

Within the law enforcement community, reports serve a dual purpose: intranet and internet. Internal statements/reports are mainly used within the organization and are helpful for the exchange of information between the members of a police force. These reports might be used for various purposes, including These reports might be used for multiple purposes, including:

1. Supervisory review: Managers go through internal reports in order to evaluate the performance of officers, monitor whether or not they are adhering to the set department standards, and check for any areas that might require change (Weisburst, 2024).
2. Case management: Internal reports provide detectives with an idea of the development of cases, possible leads, and communication with other law enforcement agencies.
3. Training and development: Organizational reports can be applied in training to teach officers the proper procedures and legal standards.

External Reports

External statements, on the other hand, are meant to be released to external users of the organization’s reports, such as prosecutors, judges, defense attorneys, and victims. These reports act as official documentation of the investigation process and proof for the charges’ legal proceedings, as well as to make it transparent and accountable. External reports can be more formal in their organization because they are required to conform to some legal and procedural guidelines.

Some of the realistic differences between internal and external reports include the following: These internal reports may be less formal, possibly concentrating on the nuts and bolts of an investigation as well as the officer’s notes (Weisburst, 2024). They can contain information that is extraneous to the case and the law, such as the witness’s opinion or conjecture. On the other hand, external reports are meant to be used in court and hence require formal writing that will conform to all the legal admissibility rules. They must be neutral, accurate, and as far removed from the writer’s personal opinion as possible. Other documentation may contain a description of the scene of the crime, the collected evidence, statements from eyewitnesses, and activities of the investigation process. They must be written and formal, following the standards of language and avoiding the usage of terms that are specific to the legal or Police work of the officers.

Internal and external reports can be described, providing concrete examples of how they differ in terms of their content and use. The internal incident report of an episode of a car accident might contain information regarding the officer’s impression, the driver’s attitude, and the cause of the stop. This report may also have a section where the officer narrates his actions, the events of the interaction, and the consequences. An external incident report for the same traffic violation, however, would contain details of the legal concern of the offense, the traffic code violated, the evidence collected, and the statement of the offender, among others. This report would not contain personal opinion or speculation as to what might happen in the future in comparison to the above.

Audience and Impact of Improper Documentation

The target of law enforcement reports is rather broad and includes both internal and external customers. Some of the internal audiences are the supervisors, investigators, and internal review boards. Managers go through such reports to evaluate the performance of other officers, check compliance with the department’s standard operating procedures, and note disparities. Law enforcement officers employ reports as tools that can help them get a broad picture of the case, find out the leads, and communicate with other departments. The police internal affairs departments that are supposed to inquire into complaints against officers depend on these reports to evaluate the merits of such complaints and to decide whether to discipline the officers.

Some of the external audiences of law enforcement reports are prosecutors, judges, defense attorneys, and victims (Green & Roiphe, 2020). Law enforcement agencies use reports to decide whether there is enough evidence to press a criminal case. The judiciary utilizes reports to determine issues related to bail, plea bargains, and sentencing. Counsel on the defense side uses the reports in order to formulate a defense and cross-examine the prosecution’s case. Some of the uses of reports by victims include the nature of the investigation, whereby victims may go through the reports to be conversant with the details of the investigation, especially when they are seeking compensation or other forms of assistance.

Unwelcome practices in documentation can result in massive distortion of investigations and justice systems. A lack of proper paperwork and records can significantly hamper a case, and it becomes almost impossible to get a guilty verdict (McGlynn, 2021). For instance, where a witness statement is partial or wrongful, it may be dubbed irrefutable and thus cannot be used in court. This could be disastrous to the prosecution’s case and make it very hard for the prosecution to prove beyond every reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty. Inadequate documentation also causes a lot of legal issues and charges to be dismissed. If a prosecutor cannot bring a good case because there is not enough documentation, a judge may discharge a case or quash it. This can lead to instances of defendant release and a lack of proper punishment for the wrongdoer.

The worst effect of inadequate documentation is that police officers and the whole justice system suffer from the loss of credibility. If reports are written poorly, if they are incomplete, if they are inaccurate, then the public loses its faith in the capacity of the Police to investigate cases adequately and objectively. This can result in reduced community support for the police force. Therefore, it becomes challenging to apprehend criminals and ensure the safety of society. Besides, failure to document work can tarnish the image of a particular officer or the agency they work for, hence losing the support of the public.

Biblical Worldview

The fight for justice and the search for the truth is not only a legal requirement, but a divine obligation that is based on the Bible. The request to find justice and to stand for the truth can be heard in the Bible and this is a call for righteousness and for people to fight against injustice. This is in line with the scripture in the book of Hebrews in which we are encouraged to ‘Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them that suffer adversity, as being yourselves’ (Hebrews 13:3) (King James Bible, 2024). This passage is focused on the question of how one should care about the suffering people and stand for their rights and needs. In this case, the principle will mean that the Police will have a professional duty to enforce the law equally regardless of the people’s status.

It is clear that principles such as integrity and accountability are essential in order to retain the confidence of the public and the law. Ethics must mean that police officers must neither deceive nor obscure the truth nor engage in unethical behaviors. Policing accountability means that officers are to be made answerable for their behaviors, actions, and other conduct, and this is because the authority demands that officers are professional. Any form of irregularities is to be punished as per the law. These principles are evident in this text through the proper record-keeping that is cardinal to policing. Detailed and factual accounts offer a detailed account of investigations, thus enabling other parties to scrutinize them, and officers who are being accused are made to answer the accusations. By following these principles, law enforcement professionals are committed to justice, and the community they work with will trust them.

The biblical concept of stewardship is applied in law enforcement service to mean that the role of the Police is not just to enforce the law but to serve the community. This call to service is for people of all classes and stations in life, and in each and every situation possible. Documentation therefore needs to be accurate to support this mission; to give voice to the victims, to protect the victims’ rights and to ensure justice prevails. Failure to compile or provide accurate reports have negative impacts on the process of investigation, prosecution of offenders, as well as affects the victim and their perception of justice. Thus, focusing on such values as accuracy and completeness in their reports, the employees of law enforcement can prove their desire to perform heinous work for the benefit of others and promote the principles of justice and truth.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the differences in the documentation of the misdemeanor and felony report writing bear the level of complication and the potential outcomes expected in the two cases of offenses. Internal and external statements/reports are not interchangeable because internal reports are used to communicate within the organization. At the same time, external reports are meant to be a formality that can be used in a legal process. This is the reason why documentation is critical because poor documentation tends to undermine cases, faces legal issues and challenges, and diminishes public confidence in the Police. Thus, the principles of justice and truth, integrity, and accountability, as indicated in the scripture, will help law enforcement professionals to provide accurate, thorough, and efficient reports that would support the enforcement of the law and the protection of everyone’s rights. This commitment to ethical and professional practices is crucial to upholding public confidence and the efficient and just delivery of justice.

References

Dezember, A., Luna, S., Woestehoff, S. A., Stoltz, M., Manley, M., Quas, J. A., & Redlich, A. D. (2022). Plea validity in circuit court: judicial colloquies in misdemeanor vs. felony charges. Psychology, crime & law, 28(3), 268-288. https://doi.org/10.1080/1068316X.2021.1905813

Green, B. A., & Roiphe, R. (2020). When prosecutors politick: Progressive law enforcers then and now. J. Crim. L. & Criminology, 110, 719.

King James Bible. (2024). King James Bible Online. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/

McGlynn, M. (2021). From Written Record to Bureaucratic Mind: Imagining a Criminal Record. Past & Present, 250(1), 55-86. https://doi.org/10.1093/pastj/gtaa015

Weisburst, E. K. (2024). Whose Help Is on the Way?: The Importance of Individual Police Officers in Law Enforcement Outcomes. Journal of Human Resources, 59(4), 1122-1149. https://doi.org/10.3368/jhr.0720-11019R2

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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 both, 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.

Differences in Report Writing Documentation

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 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 where 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 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.