4-601 Report Responsibility

• Summary: Defines officers' responsibilities in completing reports.
• Effective Date: 04-06-2019

Policy

1. Generally, officers and other designated employees shall make reports only for crimes or incidents occurring or originating in the city of Minneapolis.

1. Reports shall be completed for any incident occurring outside the city of Minneapolis when the officer is acting in their capacity as a Minneapolis Police officer or employee as part of the incident.
2. Reports shall be taken for any incident occurring outside the city of Minneapolis when otherwise required by law or by policy. Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Reports taken as a mandated reporter
• Reports taken for a sexual assault, in accordance with P&P 7-349

2. Serious or major crime reports, all domestic abuse-related crime reports, and all reports when a person has been placed in custody shall immediately be entered directly into the reporting system.
3. On-duty supervisors shall assume responsibility for all ­reports submitted by subordinates during their shift.

1. The supervisor shall review reports for completeness and accuracy.
2. The supervisor will decide to either approve the report or to return it for further information.
3. If a direct supervisor is not available to review and approve or return an officer’s report, a supervisor from the precinct where the report was generated shall review and approve or return the report.

4. Employees who have been the author of any report shall periodically check to make sure that the supervisor approval of the report process has been completed.

4-602 Report Writing

• Summary: Sets standards for writing police reports.
• Effective Date: 08-01-2008

Policy

Specific reports are written for specific purposes. Offense reports detail the elements of the crime or incident. Arrest reports detail the elements of probable cause for the arrest. Statements are made by individual officers pertaining to what the specific officer observed or heard and what action the officer took. The officer’s statement includes what the officer can testify to in court. Arrest reports, officer statements, and reports for seizures of personal property shall include rationale and legal justification for the initial stop as well as justification for subsequent search/seizure. (08/01/08)

All police reports shall include the following:

• All principal and relevant data fields on the CAPRS report pertaining to the case at hand shall be completed.
• All principal and relevant individuals involved in the incident shall be listed in the case.
• * This includes making a proper identification and documentation of all involved and/or associated individuals.
• A short public narrative statement describing the offense or incident. No names, addressees or anything that identifies a victim or witness shall be included in the public narrative.
• A probable cause statement in felony arrests.
• A description of the incident that occurred and documentation of the necessary elements related to the crime or basis for arrest.
• Documentation of reason(s) for an in-custody arrest versus issuance of a citation.
• A comprehensive individual statement in all felony arrests when an officer has information that is important to the case and in all other incidents where statements are required. (In critical incidents, this statement will generally be taken by an investigator in a question and answer format.)
• All principal and relevant information available to the officer at the time of the report shall be included in the report.

All police reports identifying and/or involving juveniles shall include:

• The school where the juvenile is enrolled or last attended.
• The parent/guardian information, including all contact phone numbers (home/work/cellular).

All handwritten reports must be legible and written in ballpoint pen.

4-603 Handwritten Offense/Incident Reports

• Summary: Provides rules for when handwritten reports are required.
• Effective Date: 07-26-2002

Policy

Handwritten offense/incident reports must be written in ink and legible for entry by support staff into CAPRS. Illegible reports will be returned to the officer to be rewritten or entered directly into CAPRS.

All arrest reports and statements shall be completed immediately following processing of the suspect. All other reports and statements must be completed and submitted to the officer’s supervisor during the shift, and all reports shall be submitted before the end of the shift. Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that their subordinates submit all reports within defined time frames.

4-604 Officer’s Statements

• Summary: Covers the requirement for officers to submit statements in incidents.
• Effective Date: 07-26-2002

Policy

Officers shall make a statement in any case that they could be required to testify in court, and/or those incidents that involve homicides, major crimes, felony arrests, gross misdemeanor arrests or misdemeanor arrests that have unusual circumstances.

A statement is essentially an officer’s account of an incident. It should include all the information that an officer can testify to directly from his/her observations and senses. Joint statements are prohibited; each officer must make their own individual statement. Statements should also include additional contact information not listed in the “names” section of the CAPRS data entry field.

Statements are usually made in narrative form, but a question and answer format may be used at the discretion of the investigator. Statements shall be made whenever requested by an investigator or a supervisor.

4-605 Case Control Numbers

• Summary: Establishes the process for assigning case control numbers.
• Effective Date: 07-26-2002

Policy

Case Control Numbers (CCNs) are required on all offense/incident reports and are obtained from MECC.

4-605.01 Case Control Numbers – Original

• Summary: Defines procedures for original case control number assignments.
• Effective Date: 07-26-2002

Policy

For arrests and P.C. Pickups for incidents after the original report has been filed, a new CCN shall be used, however, the original CCN shall be listed in the original CCN box of the arrest report. The offense code for these arrests will be different from the original offense code, i.e., auto theft arrest is “RECVEH” and burglary/assault arrest is “PCPKUP.” The CCN for an original stolen auto report is on the NCIC listing (the OCA number) and the Auto Desk's daily list of stolen vehicles ("Hot Sheet"). Arrest Bulletins have an original CCN listed on them.

If a motor vehicle is taken during the commission of another offense, the motor vehicle report shall also be made using the same CCN, with copies going to the appropriate precinct investigations unit and to the appropriate investigative unit.

4-606 Quality Report Review

• Summary: Requires supervisors to review and approve reports for accuracy.
• Effective Date: 07-26-2002

Policy

It is the responsibility of officers, supervisors, case managers, investigators and Watch Commanders to ensure that offense reports are complete and accurate.

Officers will complete the information required for CAPRS report entry, provide information to describe the elements of the offense, include pertinent information required to show probable cause for an arrest, and other elements as noted in the Report Writing section. Officers shall provide complete and accurate information on all reports.

Substandard reports may be documented by supervisors, Watch Commanders, case managers, investigators, and city and county attorneys on a Quality Report Review Form (MP-6945). The report shall be directed to the initiating officer for correction per the Quality Report Review Guide. Multiple substandard reports will lead to disciplinary action. Multiple errors on a single report are documented on one report form. Five substandard reports documented on the Quality Report Review Forms for an individual officer within a 12-month period will result in an “A” violation. For supervisors, three failures to review or approval of substandard reports within a 12-month period will result in an “A” violation.

4-606.01 Correction of Offense Code

• Summary: Provides guidelines for correcting errors in offense coding.
• Effective Date: 07-26-2002

Policy

Officers shall title their reports with the appropriate available CAPRS codes, to the best of their knowledge, using the information obtained at the crime scene and the elements of the crime as defined by state statute.

Reviewal of the case by a supervisor, case manager or investigator may dictate that the offense code needs to be changed. Correction of offense codes is critically important for accuracy in the Uniform Crime Report (UCR).

To change an offense code, the supervisor, case manager or investigator shall add a supplement entitled, “Supplement # ______ Offense Code Changed,” on the first line of the supplement. The supplement shall state the date, name and badge number of the person making the change to the offense code and a short description as to why the offense code was changed.

4-606.02 Changing an Existing Supplement

• Summary: Sets rules for modifying supplementary reports.
• Effective Date: 07-26-2002

Policy

A supplement cannot be changed once it has been added to a case except in extreme situations. If a modification to a supplement is necessary, only the supervisor of the Business Technology Unit or his/her designee can unlock the supplement to allow the modification. The procedure for this process is as follows:

1. A written request for the change/modification shall be submitted to the supervisor of the Business Technology Unit or his/her designee.

2. The supervisor of the Business Technology Unit or his/her designee will review the request.
3. The supervisor of the Business Technology Unit will make a recommendation and submit the request for change/modification to a Bureau Head for written approval or disapproval.
4. If the request for change/modification is approved by the Bureau Head, the request and a printout of the original supplement shall be brought to the Business Technology Unit.
5. The technical staff of the Business Technology Unit will then unlock the supplement so the change/modification can be made by the requesting unit.
6. After the change/modification has been made, an additional supplement shall be made by the person requesting the change with an explanation as to why the original supplement was changed/modified. The first line of this supplement shall state “Supplement # ____ has been changed/modified.”
7. The approved written request and a hard copy of the original supplement will be kept on file in the Internal Affairs Unit.

4-607 Police Officers – Injury or Death in the Line of Duty

• Summary: Covers documentation of officer injuries or fatalities.
• Effective Date: 07-26-2002

Policy

A detailed CAPRS report is required for all assaults on police officers or when officers die in the line of duty.

If an officer is injured or dies in the line of duty, any other reports including those from the injured officer’s personal physician shall be completed. A Supervisor’s Report of Injury and Request for I.O.D. Leave Determination (if applicable) are to be completed by the officer’s supervisor. Other reports, including those from the injured officer’s personal physician, shall be forwarded to MPD Human Resources.

Officers who are victims of assault shall have the injuries photographed. The Identification Division is available if necessary.

4-607.01 Continued Health Insurance Coverage to Officers Disabled or Killed in the Line of Duty

• Summary: Establishes benefits for officers injured or killed on duty.
• Effective Date: 08-19-2003

Policy

Police officers, who are killed in the line of duty, or who suffer a disabling injury in the scope of employment resulting in retirement or separation from service, may be eligible for continued health insurance coverage under Minn. Stat. § 299A.465.

An officer, or the representative or dependent, can obtain an application packet from the MPD Payroll Supervisor. The application must be signed by the claimant. Supporting documents must be included with the application, which may include, but are not limited to, the following documents:

• Legal documentation showing that the claimant, if other than the officer, is legally allowed to act on behalf of the officer.
• Medical Reports showing the nature of the disabling injury and the cause of the disabling injury.
• Letter or documentation from the pension plan demonstrating that the officer has been approved to receive a duty-related pension plan.
• Documentation from the City demonstrating that the disabling injury has been accepted as a workers' compensation injury.
• Marriage certificate for spouse.
• Birth certificates, adoption decrees, or legal guardianship documentation for dependant children (if they were covered under employee’s health insurance at the time of injury/death).
• For dependant children at least 19 years old and under the age of 25, proof that the child is a full time student (a copy of the educational institution’s enrollment record is acceptable).

Note: In case of a death in the Line of Duty, these additional documents are required:

• Certified copy of death certificate.
• An affidavit that provides proof that the spouse and decedent were legally married at the time of the officer’s death.
• An affidavit that provides proof that decedent had custody or guardianship of all listed dependent children.

Once the application has been submitted by the employee or employee’s representative or dependent, City staff will gather appropriate documentation, which may include:

• The Employment Verification form.
• Workers Comp First Report of Injury.
• Any other reports or statements that document work related status of the injury/incident.
• Any other document bearing on the eligibility for continued health care insurance coverage.

A copy of such documents will be provided to the claimant. MPD may also request that the officer submit to a medical and/or psychological examination by a health care provider of the City’s choice to determine, among other things, the nature of the injury and whether the injury was incurred in the course and scope of employment with the City of Minneapolis.

The MPD Payroll Supervisor will assemble the packet and forward it to the Chief of the Minneapolis Police Department, or a designee, the Chief of the Minneapolis Fire Department, or a designee, and the Director of Risk Management, or a designee, for eligibility determination. If the application meets the eligibility criteria, the Department of Human Resources will be notified to process the continuing coverage.

If the application does not meet requirements for continued health insurance coverage, the claimant will be notified in writing, by certified mail, of the reason for the denial of such benefits.

Upon the receipt of notice of denial, the claimant will have 30 calendar days to submit a request for reconsideration of the denial. City staff may gather any other necessary documentation or request additional information from the claimant. The claimant will have the opportunity to make a verbal presentation to a committee consisting of: the City’s Director of Risk Management & Claims, or designee; the Chief of MPD, or designee; and the Chief of Fire Department, or designee. An attorney from the Office of Minneapolis City Attorney may also be present as legal counsel to the committee. The determination of the committee on the request for reconsideration is the final determination by the City of Minneapolis with regard to the claim.

4-608 Victim Assistance Cards (Blue Cards)

• Summary: Requires officers to provide crime victims with resources.
• Effective Date: 07-26-2002

Policy

Police officers are mandated by Minnesota state statute to provide victims with information regarding the Crime Victim Ombudsman at the time of initial contact. This information is available on the blue card (MP-6441) and should be distributed at the time of the incident. If initial contact is through Tele-Serve, they shall provide the information cards as required. The MPD is in compliance with state statutes with the issuance of victim assistance cards.

Victims and witnesses should be advised to call 911 for any additional emergency response required prior to the time an investigator makes contact with them.

Victim assistance cards (MP-6441) are available at all precincts, investigative units, Tele-Serve, and from patrol officers. Cards are ordered through MPD Stores.

4-609 Reporting Liquor Violations to License Division

• Summary: Details how officers should report liquor violations.
• Effective Date: 07-26-2002

Policy

When officers make arrests related to liquor establishments, licensees or their employees, ensure that the CAPRS report is coded properly so that the License Division receives it. The following are examples of arrest circumstances that should be coded for routing to the License Division:

• Liquor law violations (on or off sale);
• Gambling violations related to the liquor establishment;
• Narcotics violations by an employee, licensee, or patron; and
• Arrest of licensee or employees for liquor law violations

Further, when officers issue warnings or obtain intelligence information concerning licensed liquor establishments, the information shall be forwarded to the License Division and any other appropriate units.

4-610 Daily Activity Report

• Summary: Establishes the requirement for officers to complete daily logs.
• Effective Date: 09-20-2013

Policy

The Daily Activity Report (MP-3006) shall be completed by all officers performing patrol duties, to provide daily historical documentation of the services provided to the community.

The Traffic Unit shall use a Daily Activity Report developed for their specific needs (MP-6838).

Shift sergeants shall complete a Daily Activity Report for each tour of duty.

Any event and/or incident in which the officer is involved shall be recorded on the log. Two-person squads will have the same statistics for each officer. An arrest shall only be counted once. Multiple charges equal one arrest.

Only activities performed shall be counted on the Daily Activity Report. A separate Daily Activity Report shall be kept for buy-back activities.

Statistical information is recorded on the reverse side of the form to record patrol activities that are created by 911 response or self-initiated activity that occurs in areas not defined as a directed patrol area. Information needed to complete the statistical portion of the form is as follows:

The Directed Patrol boxes are for the respective officer to record activities that occur in directed patrol areas as defined by the precinct commander. For example, 26th/Penn Ave. North is defined as a directed patrol area. All actions taken in this area, whether dispatched or self-initiated, will be listed under the “Directed Patrol” column, not under the Officer # column.

Patrol Hours - Record the number of hours in the shift, plus approved overtime that occurs as a result of a shift extension.

Calls Answered - Record the number of CAD and self-initiated activities that generate a case control number.

PC Arrest - The arresting squad officer(s) and other officer(s) who make a written supplement on the arrest will be given credit.

DWI Arrest - The category for alcohol-related arrests is covered under Minn. Stat. §169A. The arresting officer(s) and other officer(s) making a written supplement on the arrest will be given credit.

Warrant Arrest (F/G) - The arresting officer(s) will receive credit for a warrant arrest involving a felony or gross misdemeanor.

Warrant Arrest (M) - The arresting officer(s) will receive credit for a misdemeanor warrant arrest.

Misdemeanor Arrest - The arresting officer(s) and other officer(s) making a written supplement on the arrest will be given credit. This is for non-traffic misdemeanor arrests only.

Traffic Arrest - This category includes all traffic arrests except DWI-related arrests whether tagged in lieu or booked into jail. The arresting officer(s) and other officer(s) making a written supplement on the arrest will be given credit.

Moving Violation - The officer(s) assigned to the squad when the citation is written will receive credit. Moving violations are for motorized vehicles only.

Parking Violation - The officer(s) assigned to the squad when the citation is written will receive credit.

Advised Driver - The officer(s) assigned to the squad when the action is initiated will be given credit. The following information must be recorded on the patrol log:

• Name
• Date of birth
• Vehicle license plate number
• Location of activity
• Reason for warning

Bicycle Citation - The officer(s) assigned to the squad when the citation is written will receive credit.

Bicycle Warning - The officer(s) assigned to the squad when the action is initiated will be given credit. The following information must be recorded on the patrol log:

• Name
• Date of birth
• Location of activity
• Reason for warning
• Bicycle registration (if available)

Recovered Stolen Vehicle - The officer(s) assigned to the squad at the time the stolen vehicle recovery is made will receive credit.

Detox - The officer(s) assigned to the squad when the action is initiated will be given credit. In situations where beat officers or others are unable to transport the individual, and a call for transportation to Detox occurs, both the initiating officer(s) and the transporting officer(s) will receive credit. The following information must be recorded on the patrol log:

• Name
• Date of Birth
• Action taken, i.e., release to 1010 Currie, 1800 Chicago, etc.             

Offense Report – If the only action taken is an offense report written, the officer(s) assigned to the squad at the time will receive credit.                           

Field Report - Field interviews that generate information for a CAPRS report entitled “FLDRPT.” The officer(s) assigned to the squad at the time the report is written will receive credit.

Miscellaneous Reports - A report that is written that does not receive credit in another report category. For example, a tow sheet.

Accident Report - Traffic accidents where a State Accident Report is completed by the officer. The officer(s) assigned to the squad at the time the report is written will receive credit.

Status Offense - The officer(s) assigned to the squad when the citation for a juvenile status offense is written will receive credit.

Truancy - The officer(s) assigned to the squad when the action is initiated will receive credit. The following information must be recorded on the Daily Activity Report:

• Name
• Date of birth
• Parent or Legal Guardian
• Action taken, i.e., release to parent, Curfew Center, etc.

Curfew - The officer (s) assigned to the squad when the action is initiated will receive credit. The following information must be recorded on the Daily Activity Report:

• Name
• Date of birth
• Parent or Legal Guardian
• Action taken, i.e., Curfew Center, release to parent, etc.

Citizen Contact - This includes suspicious person calls as well as non-dispatched citizen contact. No CCN is required. Officer(s) assigned to the squad at the time the contact is initiated will receive credit. The following information must be recorded on the Daily Activity Report:

• Name
• Age or date of birth (if possible)
• Location of contact
• Result of contact

Business Contact - Business contact counts for non-dispatched contact only. No CCN is required. The officer(s) assigned to the squad at the time the contact is initiated will receive credit. The location and result of the contact must be listed on the Daily Activity Report.

Community Service - Record the number of hours spent in meetings that are scheduled for attendance by the officer’s supervisor.

Assist Other Unit - Record the number of dispatched or self-initiated activity that generates a CCN that assists other units/squads.

Assist Other Agency - Record the number of dispatched or self-initiated activity that generates a CCN that assists another agency. A report titled AOA will be written.

Detail - The number of hours spent on a detail and the type of detail must be listed on the Daily Activity Report. If more than one detail occurs per shift, list each detail separately in the extra boxes. Details must be assigned by a supervisor.

4-611 Patrol Performance Chart

• Summary: Provides procedures for maintaining officer performance data.
• Effective Date: 09-20-2013

Policy

The Patrol Performance Chart (MP-3005) is used on a monthly basis by precinct shift supervisors. All of a shift's patrol officers shall be listed on the chart regardless of work status.

The Patrol Performance Chart (MP-3005) should be a compilation of the information on the Daily Activity Report.

4-612 Field Interviews and Interrogations

• Summary: Covers rules for conducting and documenting field interviews.
• Effective Date: 09-20-2013

Policy

Field interviews and interrogations shall be conducted with the appropriate regard for constitutional rights and personal dignity. Information gathered from a field interview may be recorded in CAPRS using the offense code “FLDRPT.” This code shall not be used in conjunction with any other offense code.

4-613 Missing, Lost or Stolen Identification Cards

• Summary: Establishes policies for reporting lost or stolen ID cards.
• Effective Date: 04-02-2018

Policy

Officers shall take reports for missing, lost or stolen identification cards.

1. If possible, the officer will validate the reporting party’s identification by checking some other form of identification.

1. If the officer is unable to validate the reporting party’s identification, the officer shall note the following in the public section of the report:

1. That the officer was unable to validate the victim’s identity through other means.
2. The attempted means of validation.

2. If the officer is able to validate the reporting party’s identity, the officer shall note the means of validation in the public section of the report.

2. The issuing authority or political subdivision (country, state, county, city, etc.) shall be documented in the report.
3. Officers shall follow the same procedures for identification cards of foreign nationals as for domestic identification cards.

Note: A CCN number is generally required by the foreign consulate to issue a replacement identification card.

4-614 Robbery and Carjacking Reports

• Summary: Requires specific documentation for robbery and carjacking cases.
• Effective Date: 03-10-2023

Policy

A PIMS template shall be completed for all robberies and carjackings, in addition to the required Police Report and Narrative text.

Definitions

• Affidavit: A written document (statement of facts) confirmed by oath or affirmation.
• CIC: CIC is the code, which stands for "Crisis Intervention Call," used on a Police Report for situations involving a transport hold, and when a Police Report is completed in other situations involving a person in crisis.
• Confidential Informant:

  A person who cooperates with a law enforcement agency confidentially in order to protect the person or the MPD’s intelligence gathering or investigative efforts, and:

  1. Seeks to:
     1. Avoid arrest or prosecution for a crime; or
     2. Mitigate punishment for a crime in which a sentence will be or has been imposed; or
     3. Receive a monetary or other benefit;
  2. Is able, by reason of the person’s familiarity or close association with suspected criminals, to:
     1. Make a controlled buy or controlled sale of contraband, controlled substance, or other items that are material to a criminal investigation;
     2. Supply regular or constant information about suspected or actual criminal activities to a law enforcement agency;
     3. Otherwise provide information important to ongoing criminal intelligence gathering or criminal investigative efforts.
• Critical Incident:

  An incident involving any of the following situations occurring in the line of duty:

  • The use of Deadly Force by or against a Minneapolis Police Officer
  • Death or Great Bodily Harm to an officer
  • Death or Great Bodily Harm to a person who is in the custody or control of an officer
  • Any action by an officer that causes or is intended to cause Death or Great Bodily Harm
• Domestic Abuse: Physical harm, bodily injury, assault, or the infliction of fear of imminent physical harm, bodily injury or assault, terroristic threats, criminal sexual conduct, or interference with an emergency call, when committed between family or household members.
• Investigation: A structured process of gathering, examining, and evaluating facts and evidence to determine what occurred, assess compliance with laws and policies, and support appropriate actions or decisions.
• Investigators: All persons from the MPD Homicide unit and Internal Affairs unit who are conducting an investigation of the Critical Incident, unless other Criminal Investigating and Administrative Investigating Entities have been designated by the Chief of Police or their designee.
• Issuing Authority: Refers to the court, attorney, or representative of the court or attorney who has issued a Subpoena or Trial Notice with or without a "Standby" designation.
• Juvenile: An individual who is under the age of eighteen (18) years.
• MECC: Minneapolis Emergency Communications Center is the city's 911 center that answers emergency and non-emergency calls and coordinates the appropriate response by public safety services.
• National Crime Information Center: The National Crime Information Center database helps criminal justice professionals apprehend fugitives, locate missing persons, recover stolen property, and identify terrorists. It also assists law enforcement officers in performing their official duties more safely and provides them with information necessary to aid in protecting the general public.
• Parent/Legal Guardian: "Parent" means the birth or adoptive mother or father of a child and does not apply to a person whose parental rights have been terminated in relation to the child. A legal "guardian" is a person who has been appointed by a judge or social services agency, to take care of a minor child (to include foster parents).
• Police Report: A report or statement in a report that sets forth the officer's account of an incident and is entered into the MPD's Records Management System.
• Probable Cause: Having reasonable grounds for supporting the requested Court order, to include: search warrants, arrests or other legal process. Probable cause is required by the Fourth Amendment. Officers must have an objectively reasonable basis for believing that a crime may have been committed or that there is evidence of the crime present in the place to be searched.
• Reports and Statements: Police Report: A report or statement in a report that sets forth the officer's account of an incident and is entered into the MPD's Records Management System. Public Safety Statement: A mandatory statement from the Involved Officers which provides information necessary to ensure public safety. This may include questions about the direction in which the Involved Officer fired their firearm, injured people, location of dangerous weapons or information on any suspects still at large and any other information necessary to facilitate the commencement of the investigation. Voluntary Statement: A statement given by Involved or Witness Officers to Investigations Bureau Investigators which is voluntary and outlines details associated with the Critical Incident. Voluntary statements from officers are essential for bringing criminal charges against suspects, defending officers, and maintaining community trust by providing the Chief of Police with sufficient information to appropriately address community concerns. Voluntary statements will be taken in question and answer (Q&A) format.
• Sexual Assault: Sexual contact or penetration with another person in a criminal manner as identified in MN Statute sections 609.342 to 609.3451.