Police Reports are used for what type of data?

Police reports are primarily utilized for collecting and conveying statistical data. This type of data includes quantifiable elements such as crime rates, the number of incidents reported, and specific details regarding offenses, victims, and suspects. Statistically analyzed data from police reports can inform trends in crime, resource allocation, and the effectiveness of law enforcement strategies.

While subjective data reflects personal opinions or interpretations, and qualitative data focuses on descriptive attributes, police reports lean heavily toward measurable aspects that can be systematically analyzed. Anecdotal data, based on personal accounts or stories, may also appear in reports but does not represent the primary focus of policing documentation, which is to provide clear, objective statistics that can be used for broader evaluations and decision-making in law enforcement contexts.