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Describe the exact behaviors, observations, or conditions that prompted contact. Include time, location context, and why those specific facts are suspicious.

Conclusory language like "subject appeared suspicious" or "I had a feeling" without supporting specific facts.

Use precise, sensory language. Describe exactly what you observed — movements, objects, behaviors, statements — with specifics like distances, times, and descriptions.

Vague descriptions, characterizing behavior without describing the actual behavior, or using "appeared to be" without describing what was actually seen.

After describing observations, explicitly connect them to the crime — explain why those specific facts indicate criminal activity rather than innocent behavior.

Describing observations in detail but failing to explicitly connect them to the offense charged.

State your relevant training, years of experience, number of similar cases handled, and specifically how that expertise informs your interpretation.

Saying "based on my training and experience" without specifying what training, how many years, or what that training taught you to recognize.

Include dispatch information, prior calls for service, other officers' observations, informant tips (if applicable), or any other information that independently supports your probable cause.

Relying solely on one officer's observations without noting any corroborating information that was available.

Acknowledge that the behavior could have an innocent explanation, then articulate why — given all the circumstances — you concluded criminal activity was more likely.

Failing to address the most obvious innocent explanation for the observed conduct. Defense attorneys will raise it at trial — address it in the narrative first.

Document exact times throughout the narrative. If there is a gap between initial observations and action taken, explain why probable cause remained fresh.

Vague references to time, large unexplained gaps between observations and arrest, or failing to timestamp key events.

Start from the beginning of the contact or observation and move forward in time. Each paragraph should advance the timeline.

Jumping between timeframes, adding events out of order, or referencing something that happened earlier without re-establishing the timeline.

Use "I observed," "I asked," "I arrested" throughout. Avoid passive constructions like "the subject was observed" that obscure who did what.

Passive voice ("it was noted that"), third-person references to yourself ("this officer"), or mixing first and third person.

Include specific clock times (not "afternoon" or "evening"), exact addresses or GPS coordinates, and specific location descriptions.

Vague time references ("late at night," "around noon"), approximate locations ("near the park"), or failing to note when key events occurred.

Replace every conclusion with the specific observation that led to it. Instead of "appeared intoxicated," describe exactly what you saw: glassy eyes, slurred speech, unsteady gait.

"Appeared suspicious," "appeared intoxicated," "appeared nervous," "I knew this was criminal activity" — none of these are facts.

Report what you observed, not what you think it means. Let the facts speak for themselves. Avoid editorializing or expressing opinions about the subject's guilt.

Characterizing the subject's demeanor judgmentally, expressing personal opinions, or using language that assumes guilt before arrest.

Include all legally significant events: initial contact, basis for stop, all observations, statements made, Miranda if applicable, searches conducted, evidence found, and final disposition.

Missing the basis for the initial stop, omitting Miranda warnings when required, or ending without noting disposition.

Know the statutory elements of the offense charged and ensure the narrative contains facts addressing each one. If an element is implicit, make it explicit.

Charging a crime without addressing all elements — e.g., charging burglary without establishing intent to commit a crime inside the structure.

Document: consent given or exception to warrant requirement, Miranda warnings given if custodial interrogation occurred, any searches and their legal basis.

Failing to document the legal basis for a search, omitting Miranda advisement when required, or conducting a search without documenting why it was lawful.

Document: when and where evidence was found, how it was collected, how it was packaged, evidence item numbers, and where it was transported and stored.

Saying "evidence was collected" without specifying what, when, how, by whom, or where it went.

Document: the specific threat or action that prompted force, the type and degree of force used, and the immediate result.

Stating force was used without explaining why, or describing force without explaining the specific behavior that made it necessary.

Verify the statute number and title before including it. Include the full statutory citation and ensure it matches the offense charged.

Citing the wrong statute number, citing a statute from a different jurisdiction, or citing a definitional statute instead of a charging statute.