Should an officer's notes be submitted alongside a report?

Submitting an officer's notes alongside a report is generally not required and can actually lead to complications. Officers typically summarize the key points and findings in their written reports, which serve as the official documentation of an incident. The notes taken during the initial response may contain informal observations or thoughts that are not intended for public or legal scrutiny.

Revealing these notes may expose an officer to challenges regarding their credibility in court, as the notes could include preliminary opinions or unverified information. Additionally, maintaining a clear distinction between what is included in the final report and what is contained in the officer's notes helps preserve the integrity of the official documentation and reduces the risk of misinterpretation.

While there may be specific instances or agency policies that call for the notes to accompany particular reports, the standard practice is for the report itself to be the formal account of the incident.