Police is a term that refers to members of law enforcement agencies who investigate and prevent crime and keep a watchful eye on public events, such as concerts or political protests. They can also be referred to as a group or force, as in the police force of New York City. Police are a part of all societies, though the systems they use vary widely from country to country. Many factors contribute to this diversity, including a society’s history and the methods criminals use to commit crimes. For example, a police force that serves a large city is likely to have armed officers while a smaller community’s force may only be unarmed and patrol cars.

Writing well has become a critical skill for officers, particularly when writing incident reports. These documents outline the Who, What, When, Where, and Why of an event, describing everything from shell casings to three-legged dogs that have been found in custody disputes. The information in these documents is used to prosecute suspects and inform citizens, so they must be accurate. Officers often rely on the written word as evidence when they are questioned by citizens or in court, so these documents must tell a convincing story to persuade 12 people to agree with their conclusions.

To write for law enforcement publications, you must first determine the target audience. The editors of Law and Order, for example, want concise well-written articles that can assist agency heads in their strategic planning. Then select the subject that is in demand and fills a void-for example, new safety techniques, equipment, or training methods.