Reporting on Crime: Bringing Great Police Work to the Courtroom

In law enforcement, a well-written report can be the difference between a strong case and a missed opportunity for justice. Reporting on Crime: Bringing Great Police Work to the Courtroom (Second Edition) is a practical, field-tested guide that helps officers turn fast-moving, high-stress incidents into clear, courtroom-ready narratives. Drawing on decades of combined military and policing experience, Aaron Pinson and John Day break down report writing into repeatable steps, showing readers how to capture key observations, handle statements, articulate probable cause, and connect actions to policy and law. Updated for modern realities-body-worn cameras, evolving scrutiny, and the need for precision-this book is built for recruits, field training officers, and seasoned professionals who want their documentation to reflect the quality of their work. If your report is your voice when you're no longer in the room, this book teaches you how to make it count.