The process of writing a statement in a police station generally involves providing a clear, factual account of an incident you witnessed or were involved in. Police statements are structured documents, often following a specific model to ensure all necessary details are recorded. For instance, police training in the UK uses the acronym ADVOKATE to guide witness statements:
- A – Amount of time under observation
- D – Distance between witness and suspect/incident
- V – Visibility, including time of day and lighting
- O – Obstructions blocking the view
- K – Known suspect from before
- A – Any reason to remember the suspect
- T – Time lapse between first and later identification
- E – Errors or discrepancies
The statement should adhere to a 5-part model:
- Introduction: Establish who the witness is and what matter the statement addresses.
- People: Identify everyone mentioned, clarify how the witness knows them (if applicable), and specify how they will be referenced.
- Places: Describe and identify all relevant locations referenced in the statement.
- Account: Provide a clear, chronological narrative of the events that took place.
- Clarification: Address any ambiguities and add any further information not already included, specifically integrating elements from the ADVOKATE framework if not previously covered.
When filling out a police statement form, you usually start with personal details (name, address, contact info), followed by factual information about the incident (date, time, location, sequence of events). You should include any facts that help clarify the incident and, once completed, sign and date the statement in the presence of an officer or notary. The document may be submitted in person, by mail, or digitally when applicable[1][3][4].
It is essential that your statement is clear, concise, and specific, avoiding vague language. Statements must be your own words and ideally should be prepared when you are able to recall the details calmly and accurately[7]. You should not sign the statement until in the presence of a law enforcement official or public notary[4].
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