« Dealing with the Police | Main | Gentrification Solicitation »

Incident Report Recap

To recap the previous lengthy post concerning Incident Reports and Incident Report Numbers.

What is an Incident Report?

An Incident Report documents an incident in which the police answered a citizen's call about an event in which the law was broken or was about to be broken or about suspicious activity that may be criminal.

What is an incident Report Number?

To get an Incident Report a citizen must ask a police officer for an Incident Report Number.

An officer calls in for an incident report number that he can give to you. He will then write and submit a report.

To get a written copy of that report you must go to the Police Station with the Incident Report Number and ask for a copy of the Incident Report. They are usually ready within 2 to 7 days, though sometimes it takes longer.

Why is it important to get Incident Reports and Incident Report Numbers?

It is important because it documents the incident or event for future reference. Without an incident report it’s almost as if the event never happened as far as the police are concerned. Incident Reports are compiled statistically by the police department.

How do I get an Incident Report Number?

Ask the officer who answered your call. If an incident occurred the officer is obligated to provide you with an Incident Report Number.

Remember when talking to a police officer to always look at the badge number on his chest and write it down. That is the only sure way you can identify the police officer for future reference.

If an officer refuses to provide you with an Incident Report Number you can do the following: 1) talk to his superior officer or call the Station and ask to speak to the shift commander, give the badge number and ask to have an officer sent to provide you with an Incident Report Number; or 2) you can ask a dispatcher to identify the officer who answered your call for service if you provide the time and date of your call, then ask to have the officer or another return to give you an incident report number.

All Calls for Service to the dispatchers in the Communications Department are recorded and documented. Usually the officer (or another) will be sent to provide you with an Incident Report Number.

Posted at August 29, 2007 11:01 PM