Hess, John : Federal Bureau of Investigation, Retired

Thaiss, Christopher George Mason University

Though paperwork is commonly perceived as drudgery among law enforcement professionals, good writing is actually essential to building strong cases and supporting various legal actions. Writing for Law Enforcement is directed specifically to professionals in law enforcement and criminal justice who want to improve their writing skills.

This book provides concise, practical chapters on conducting interviews, writing various kinds of investigative reports, writing several types of memos, taking essay exams, and giving oral presentations. The introductory chapters cover the principles of good writing and offer strategies to help improve writing and organizing skills. Chapter-by-chapter, the author then takes readers through the process of investigative report writing and offers several specific examples on how to craft investigative documents. The book also features an extensive bibliography of print and on-line sources related to law enforcement and criminal justice, and also overviews APA documentation style.

For law enforcement officials.

Preface.

1. Writing Techniques to Increase Learning.

A Question of Attitude : Writing for the Yourself.
Writing and Memory : Taking Good Notes.
Writing to Improve Reading : Marginal and Final Comments.
Writing to Improve Reading : Keeping the Reading Response Log.
Writing to Improve Observations.
Writing to Experiment with Style and Format.
Going Public. From Writing for Yourself to Writing for Others.

2. The Writing Process : Predrafting, Drafting, Revising, Editing.

General Principles, but No Single Formula.
�Prewriting� and Data Collection.
Drafting : A Change in Attitude.
Planning the Draft : The Three Keys.
Effective Revision.
Editing the Revised Draft.

3. Writing Investigative Reports : Conducting Research.

Prologue : The Need for a New Perception.
Writing : Real Police Work.
Purpose and Style in Investigative Reporting.
The Interview.

4. Writing Investigative Reports : Predrafting Considerations.

The Importance of Written Reports.
Predrafting/Preparation.
Getting Started.

5. Writing Investigative Reports : Format.

Selecting from the Case File.
Arranging the Documents.
Other Tips for Writing Component Parts of Reports.
Three Issues : Relevance, Order, Lists.
Obtaining Feedback on Drafts.

6. Writing Investigative Reports : Pitfalls.

Policespeak.
Tactical Talk.
Wordiness.
Jargon.
Prejudices.
Assumptions.
Judgments.
Misuse of Quotes.

7. Writing Memos.

The Need for Strong Internal Communication.
Memo Format.
Purposes/Types of Memos.
Adopting a Point of View.

8. Oral Presentations.

Written Preparation for the Talk.
Scripting the Talk.
Reading Your Talk.
Further Sources We Suggest.

9. Taking Exams.

Multiple-Choice Exams, Tests, and Quizzes.
Writing Short, Timed Responses : The PRO Method.
Writing Timed Essays.

10. Finding and Citing Sources for Research.

Law Enforcement/Criminal Justice Bibliography.
Citing Sources Using APA (American Psychological Association) Style.

Index.