A police report should be limited to what?

• A. Facts
• B. Opinions
• C. Assumptions
• D. Irrelevant details

Answer: (A)

In police reporting, the information recorded must be reliable and useful for investigations and potential legal proceedings, so the focus is on facts. A report should capture verifiable, observable details about the incident: when and where it happened, who was involved, what occurred, what was observed by the officer, what actions were taken, and what evidence was collected, including direct quotes from witnesses or suspects. Sticking to facts ensures the document remains objective, accurate, and traceable for others who read it, such as investigators, prosecutors, and defense counsel.

Opinions and assumptions have no place in a factual report because they reflect beliefs rather than verifiable information and can undermine the record’s credibility. The report should not include conclusions about guilt, motives, or character judgments; those are determinations that belong in analysis or later proceedings, not in the initial factual account. Irrelevant details should be left out as they clutter the narrative and can confuse readers or obscure what actually happened.