When should a report be initiated?

• A. Only when a crime is reported
• B. Only at the end of a shift
• C. Whenever departmental policy prescribes or police action is taken
• D. Never

Answer: (C)

Initiating a report is driven by policy and the need to document what the officer does. You start a report whenever departmental policy requires it or when police action is taken. This covers more than just crimes being reported—many actions and incidents call for formal documentation to create an official record, preserve the chain of evidence, and ensure accountability.

If a crime is reported, a report is usually required, but many non-criminal situations also need a report, such as traffic stops, welfare checks, or incidents where help is provided. Waiting until the end of a shift or never initiating a report would leave important details undocumented and could hinder investigations and accountability. So the correct approach is to initiate a report whenever policy prescribes it or when police action is taken.