a police report

USAGE SUMMARY

"a police report" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It refers to a written document that details information and/or findings about a specific incident or investigation handled by the police. Example: The police officer filed a detailed police report after interviewing all the witnesses at the scene of the crime.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

A police report was filed.

The New York Times

"We won't accept a police report".

The New York Times

Miss Wheeler never filed a police report.

The New York Times

The incident was described in a police report as drowning.

Independent

A police report did not specify who hit the bouncer.

The New York Times

Please, I need to file a police report.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A police report pronounced his death, at 47, an accident.

The New York Times - Books

You'd think that a police report would suffice.

The New York Times

He promptly filed a police report, generating more news coverage.

The New York Times

A police report detailing what happened was released Thursday.

The Guardian - Sport

This isn't a movie; it's a police report.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always cite the source of the "police report" if you are using information from it in a written piece. This adds credibility to your work.

Common error

Avoid drawing conclusions or making assumptions based solely on "a police report". It's a record of initial findings and may not represent the final outcome of an investigation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a police report" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a specific type of document. Ludwig confirms its common usage, referring to a written record documenting incidents investigated by law enforcement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a police report" is a common noun phrase that identifies an official document created by law enforcement to record incidents, investigations, and findings. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and widespread use across various contexts, primarily in news and media, science, and legal domains. Grammatically sound and functionally clear, the phrase serves to inform and document facts related to police activities. When writing about or referencing police reports, ensure accuracy and avoid drawing premature conclusions. While its register is generally neutral, awareness of its potential legal implications and documentary nature is essential for effective communication. The phrase is very common and therefore you should not have problems finding suitable alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a crime report

Shortened version focusing on the criminal aspect.

an official police record

Emphasizes the official and documented nature of the report.

a law enforcement statement

Focuses on the statement provided by law enforcement.

a written account of a crime

Highlights the written nature and criminal aspect.

a documented incident report

Stresses the documentation and incident details.

an officer's report

Specifies that the report is from a police officer.

a formal complaint to the police

Highlights the action of making a formal complaint.

police documentation of an event

Emphasizes the police's role in documenting an event.

a record of a police investigation

Focuses on the investigation aspect.

police account of events

Focuses on police narrative of events.

FAQs

How is "a police report" used in legal contexts?

"A police report" serves as an official record of an incident and can be used as evidence in legal proceedings. However, it's often subject to scrutiny and must be corroborated with other evidence.

What information is typically included in "a police report"?

Typically, "a police report" includes the date, time, and location of the incident; names and contact information of involved parties and witnesses; a narrative description of the event; and any preliminary findings or actions taken by the police.

What's the difference between "an incident report" and "a police report"?

"A police report" specifically involves law enforcement, while "an incident report" can be created by any organization or individual to document an event or occurrence.

When should I file "a police report"?

You should file "a police report" when a crime has been committed, when you need documentation for insurance purposes, or when you want to create an official record of an incident.