What is the purpose of an incident report?

• A. To document facts, actions, times, locations, and individuals involved for case management and accountability
• B. To convict suspects
• C. To publish to the public
• D. To replace police notes

Answer: (A)

Documenting the sequence of events and the details surrounding an incident is the main purpose of an incident report. This kind of report creates a factual record—times, locations, actions taken, people involved, and relevant observations—that supports case management, accountability, and future investigations. It provides a clear trail of what happened and how responses were handled, which helps supervisors review decisions, coordinate follow-up, and maintain operational integrity. It isn’t intended to convict suspects; that happens through investigation, charges, and prosecution. It’s not meant for public publication, since incident reports often contain sensitive information and must respect privacy and ongoing investigations. And it doesn’t replace police notes; instead, it complements them as part of the agency’s official records.