Write to Protect and Serve: A Practical Guide for Writing Better Police Reports

Front cover image of Write to Serve and Protect (UNG Press, 2019). To the right of the title, a police officer writes in a notebook.

Author

John Cagle

ISBN

978-1-940771-42-7

Print Version

$34.99

Description

Write to Protect and Serve is the only guide on police report writing an officer will need. Written for officers at all levels, this book discusses proper notetaking at the scene of the crime, different elements of police reports, and compliance writing. An entire chapter is dedicated to audio and visual writing exercises and examples from real cases, so that officers can write the most accurate report possible.

About the Author

John Cagle joined the University of North Georgia in 2014 as an adjunct professor of Criminal Justice. Previously, he was the Chief Deputy for the Dawson County Sheriff’s Office and a Special Agent with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. He is a member of the Peace Officers Association of Georgia. Cagle has over 30 years of experience and has written more police reports than he can count.

Audio Exercises

Chapter 3

Theft Report (m4a)
Theft Report Transcript (PDF)

Chapter 4

Dragnet, "The Big Thief" (mp4)
Dragnet, "The Big Thief" Transcript (PDF)

Chapter 5

Theft Report - from Chapter 3 (mp4)
Theft Report Transcript (PDF)

Burglary Report (m4a)
Burglary Report Transcript (PDF)

Neighborhood Canvass Report (m4a)
Neighborhood Canvass Report Transcript (PDF)

Chapter 7

Scenario 1: Shoplifting (m4a)
Scenario 1: Shoplifting Transcript (PDF)

Scenario 2: Traffic Stop (m4a)
Scenario 2: Traffic Stop Transcript (PDF)

Scenario 3: Domestic Dispute (m4a)
Scenario 3: Domestic Dispute Transcript (PDF)

Scenario 4: Murder Interview (m4a)
Scenario 4: Murder Interview Transcript (PDF)

Scenario 5: Murder Crime Scene (m4a)
Scenario 5: Murder Crime Scene Transcript (PDF)

Scenario 6: Undercover Drug Buy (m4a)
Scenario 6: Undercover Drug Buy Transcript (PDF)

Scenario 7: Execution of Search Warrant Following Drug Buy (m4a)
Scenario 7: Execution of Search Warrant Following Drug Buy Transcripts (PDF)

Instructor Resources

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