What should PSOs articulate when documenting a use of force incident?

When documenting a use of force incident, PSOs should focus on articulating only the facts known to them at the time of the incident. This is crucial because accurate reporting relies on objective observations, which help to create a clear and unbiased account of what occurred. Using factual information ensures that the report is credible and serves as a reliable reference for any subsequent investigation or legal proceedings.

Personal opinions can introduce bias and subjective interpretations, which can compromise the integrity of the report. Similarly, while feedback from witnesses can be valuable, it may not be part of the immediate facts that the PSO can personally confirm or have firsthand knowledge of at the time. A summary of common practices for use of force does not provide details about the specific incident and would not be appropriate in a factual report. Therefore, focusing on the known facts allows the documentation to be useful and defensible in various situations.