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.
Definitions
Refer to the Commonly Used Terms page for general definitions.
- 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.
- 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.