Why do police officers have to fill out so much paper work?

Question

Why do police officers have to fill out so much paper work. Is it to keep dirty cops in check or is it to save the criminals because police officers can't do it all in time?

Answer 1

They need every detail to prosecute and construct an air tight case.

It's a lot easier now as the computers are more readable than a handwriting

Answer 2

A well written and detailed report is key to an officers job.  It details what was said by witnesses, what the officer witnessed, where things were located, what a suspect was wearing, etc...  Without the reports it would be difficult to prosecute and create many loop holes for the defense as it helps the officer to remember accounts that might have happened months ago.  Remember officers handle many arrests.

Answer 3

In addition to the answers already given: The report goes the the District Attorney's Office for consideration and prosecution. All of the details or elements of a crime must be met in order to prosecute someone for a given crime. Reports are very handy as well for the officer. Cases can drag out at times for years before they get to court.A well written report will help the officer to refresh memory as to things that happened years ago.

Answer 4

This is a true saying ! If it's not on paper it didn't happen. Paper work just comes with the job.

Answer 5

They have so many crimes to deal with and they need to make sure that they have all of the facts straight if they want to send someone to jail.

Answer 6

Because all the facts have top be in place and nothing left out if the case ever goes to court

Answer 7

The facts need to be reported in as much detail as possible for the investigators and county attorneys to continue with prosecution.

Also to prove that someone was not mistreated.

CYA.  As in "cover your ***".  Document everything and the defense attorney will have to work that much harder to find a loophole or technicality to get their guilty client off with a slap on the wrist.

Everything is checked and rechecked just to make sure nothing was forgotten.

I always check my handcuffs for tightness then double-lock them.  Always.  But in every single report I write I have to actually write that statement or the suspect can sue (defense attorney will say it didn't happen)...just one example.

Answer 8

There are two people that cause a lot of the paper work....Bureaucrats and lawyers.

Bureaucrats are always coming up with new forms to fill out nor new things to send into the state, but they rarely streamline anything.

Lawyers tend to just throw spaghetti at the wall and hope something sticks when they defend their client. So everything must be documented.

Answer 9

DOCUMENTATION!  

This is key in all policework.....it protects not only the officer but also the criminal...for, if any position should come afterward that protest the action or judgment of the officer, or criminal, then it will be documented.

Some documentation goes to the state, some to the federal government, etc.  It is how we see how much crime is afoot in the states, U.S., and it is how we determine employment needs for those areas.  

Some paperwork is for guns, some drugs, some unnecessary, and some necessary.  In any case, the police officers are happy and so would the criminals be if they knew how important it was.  What if there were none at all?  The police would have way too much power.

Answer 10

Ummm, what do you consider so much paperwork?  Depending on the facts of the case and the defenses raised, it might be just enough or too little.

Answer 11

peoples futures and public safety are at stake-the facts better be in order, and they may be needed months or even years later in court.