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As a result of the Mel Gibson arrest, I have listened to and read critical comments about the LA County deputy who made the arrest. Part of the arrest report was posted on the Internet without authorization from the agency and the department is investigating. From the report, folks have asked questions such as: 1) “Why is the report so long for a DUI arrest?†2) “Why did the officer write down the specifics of a ranting drunk?†or, 3) “Did he just want to get Gibson?†These questions insinuate that the officer had other motives for making the arrest and writing the reports.
I see the unauthorized release of the report and the writing of the report as two different issues. I don’t have sympathy for a person (whoever did it) involved in the unauthorized release of case information and hope the department’s investigation is fruitful. On the writing of the report, I have countered the detractors by saying the officer was wise to be methodical in his documenting of the celebrity arrest incident, knowing what a media feeding frenzy that it would be.
My question is: for arrests or incidents involving national or local celebrities or other high profile cases, are your reports longer and more detailed as compared to other arrests or incidents?
I would say that reports are going to be longer with more information for high profile people or groups. For example, a report narrative describing the arrest of Joe Bob for public intoxication might just say: “Observed defendant stumbling and falling in the road while walking in the turning lane on Moore Avenue at the above time and date. Def. speech was slurred and he smelled of alcohol.†I have seen arrest reports with much less information than the example above. Conversely, an arrest report describing a PI arrest for Christy Brinkley, Jessie Jackson, Rush Limbaugh, or other celebrity would certainly be more than the two sentences above and include specifics about what the def. said, more on his/her mannerisms, etc.
What do you think? --Scott
I see the unauthorized release of the report and the writing of the report as two different issues. I don’t have sympathy for a person (whoever did it) involved in the unauthorized release of case information and hope the department’s investigation is fruitful. On the writing of the report, I have countered the detractors by saying the officer was wise to be methodical in his documenting of the celebrity arrest incident, knowing what a media feeding frenzy that it would be.
My question is: for arrests or incidents involving national or local celebrities or other high profile cases, are your reports longer and more detailed as compared to other arrests or incidents?
I would say that reports are going to be longer with more information for high profile people or groups. For example, a report narrative describing the arrest of Joe Bob for public intoxication might just say: “Observed defendant stumbling and falling in the road while walking in the turning lane on Moore Avenue at the above time and date. Def. speech was slurred and he smelled of alcohol.†I have seen arrest reports with much less information than the example above. Conversely, an arrest report describing a PI arrest for Christy Brinkley, Jessie Jackson, Rush Limbaugh, or other celebrity would certainly be more than the two sentences above and include specifics about what the def. said, more on his/her mannerisms, etc.
What do you think? --Scott
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Finally, a positive post!
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