Police Report Victim Filing Information Officers Crime Contact

In the United States, each "municipality" (city) has different "procedures" (ways to do things) for filing police reports. In general, "victims" (someone who has been hurt in some way) of a crime should contact their local police to "report" (provide information about) the crime. This should happen as soon as possible after the crime, so that the victim can still remember as many details as possible. A "prompt" (happening soon) report also improves the "odds" (chances; likelihood) that the police officers will be able to "apprehend" (catch; arrest) the criminal.

For simple crimes, the police report can be filed over the phone. However, most victims can also request that the police officer come to their home, or they can go to the "police station" (the building where police officers work).

When filing a report, the victim needs to provide as much detail as possible. This includes information about when the crime "occurred" (happened), what was stolen (including "model numbers" (numbers assigned when a high-value item is manufactured)), who was "injured" (hurt physically) and how. The police report might also include a description of the "suspect" (the person one believes has committed the crime) and any possible "motives" (reasons for committing a crime). The police report also includes contact information for the victim so that the police officers can provide "updates" (new, current information) throughout the investigation.

Filing a police report is usually free, but the victim may need to pay a "fee" (money paid for a particular purpose) to "obtain" (get) a copy of the official police report.