North Carolina Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) State Practice Exam

What term is used for the shorthand written record created by law enforcement officers?

1. Field notes

2. Investigative notes

3. Report notes

4. Incident notes

The correct answer is: Field notes

The term "field notes" refers to the informal shorthand records that law enforcement officers create to document observations, observations, interviews, and events as they occur during their duties. These notes are crucial for ensuring that details are accurately captured while the information is still fresh in the officer's mind. Field notes serve as a primary source of information that can aid in the completion of formal reports, investigations, and any court proceedings that might arise later. Field notes typically include specific information such as dates, times, locations, people involved, and descriptions of incidents. Their organized and concise nature allows officers to reference them later when more detailed documentation is needed, such as in police reports or case files. This preliminary documentation is vital in the law enforcement process as it helps to establish a clear timeline and context for subsequent actions taken by the officers involved. The other options, while related, do not accurately reflect the specific term used for the shorthand written records created during policing activities. Investigative notes usually refer to detailed accounts made during the course of an investigation rather than initial impressions. Report notes and incident notes could similarly imply various types of documents but do not have the accepted definition that field notes carry within law enforcement terminology.