MCOLES State Licensing Practice Exam

What should the summary of an incident report include?

1. Personal opinions of the officer

2. An overview of the officer's training

3. A summary of the events

4. Speculation about motives

The correct answer is: A summary of the events

The summary of an incident report should primarily include a summary of the events that occurred. This aspect is crucial because the incident report serves as a factual account of what transpired during an incident, detailing the sequence of events in a clear and concise manner. This summary allows anyone reviewing the report—such as supervisors, other law enforcement personnel, or legal entities—to understand the situation and the officer's response to it without bias or personal opinions. An effective incident report should remain objective, focusing on the pertinent facts rather than the individual's subjective interpretations or guesses. Including personal opinions, speculations about motives, or an overview of the officer's training would detract from the report's purpose and could lead to misunderstandings or misrepresentation of the incident. Therefore, the focus on summarizing the events is a critical component that enhances the clarity and reliability of the report.