(1) A statement made by a witness should be recorded in detail on a Pol 154. The officer who takes that statement is to record in his notebook when, where and from whom the Pol 154 has been taken.

[Police General Orders Chapter 53-01(6)(c)]

(2) After an officer has exercised any police powers, e.g. searching a suspect or using a handcuff transport belt, he must record the details of the exercise of powers even if no offence is disclosed as a result. Nevertheless, there is no absolute requirement to record every detail of the personal particulars of the person after the exercise of powers. In most cases basic details that are sufficient to identify the person would be adequate.

[Police General Orders Chapter 53-01(6)(k)]

(3) After an officer has given a verbal warning, he shall record the particulars of that person, together with particulars of the offence for which the person has been warned, in his police notebook.

[Police General Orders Chapter 53-01(6)(m)]

(4) After an officer has been called upon to handle a report of a traffic accident or other incident, he should record details of the traffic accident or incident he has witnessed or to which he has been called, except in the case of a Traffic Accident Damage Only (TADO) where a Pol 284A has been completed.

[Police General Orders Chapter 53-01(6)(i)]

(This column is contributed by the Complaints and Internal Investigations Branch)