Use of officer opinions in reports

[armsmaster270]

and have the evidence to back up your opinion

[ChesCopPodz]

I may be going out on a limb, but every time we articulate probable cause to arrest someone, I feel it's basically our opinion. The circumstances would lead a reasonable person to believe that a crime has been committed. Basically, it's my opinion that I have probable cause to arrest, but it's based on facts and training and experiences. Every crash report I do is basically my opinion based on statements and facts collected at the scene. If everything points to one driver doing something wrong, then I make the crash report say so.

However, putting in a report that it's my opinion that the reporting party is making stuff up, may not be the best option.

[berserk]

However, putting in a report that it's my opinion that the reporting party is making stuff up, may not be the best option.

Maybe not. Or it might be precisely the best option.

[Jks9199]

As I've said -- there are opinions that belong in reports and opinions that should stay out. If your "opinion" is that of a trained person making a judgment based on facts and evidence -- it belongs in the report, along with the supporting evidence. He was drunk, because he was unsteady on his feet, slurring his speech, and I smelled a strong odor of beer on his breath - yep, belongs in your report. He was an asshole , he was ugly, and I don't like his clothes - nope, not part of your report. You can tell your buddies, you can tell your family -- you can even tell him, but leave it out of your report.