For Patrol Officers ·
What you'll accomplish
By the end of this guide, you'll have ChatGPT configured to understand your role, your report format, and your department's preferred language — so every conversation starts from the right baseline without re-explaining yourself. Instead of a generic AI that gives generic outputs, you'll have one that writes in police report language every time.
What you'll need
What you should see: The ChatGPT chat interface with a text box at the bottom
What you should see: Two text boxes: "What would you like ChatGPT to know about you?" and "How would you like ChatGPT to respond?"
Troubleshooting: If you don't see Custom Instructions, make sure you're logged in. Free accounts have this feature — you may need to accept any terms of service first.
Type (or copy and paste) something like:
I am a patrol officer at [your department name, e.g., "a mid-sized municipal police department"]. I work [day/night/swing] shift. I primarily write incident reports, arrest affidavits, and use-of-force reports. I need all report writing in formal third-person past tense using professional law enforcement language. My state is [your state]. Common charges I document include [list 3-4 common ones: DUI, domestic assault, trespass, etc.].
Type:
When I ask you to write or improve a police report, always:
1. Write in third person, past tense (e.g., "The officer observed..." not "I saw...")
2. Use formal law enforcement terminology
3. Structure narratives chronologically: arrival, observations, actions taken, outcome
4. Do not embellish, add facts, or make assumptions beyond what I provide
5. Flag any gaps in my notes where I should add information
For other questions, respond concisely and directly.
What you should see: A properly formatted incident narrative, ready to review and edit for accuracy
Troubleshooting: If output is still too casual, add "Respond to ALL requests formally and professionally" to the How to Respond section.
Draft a police incident report narrative from these field notes. Third person, past tense: [notes]
Review this police report as a defense attorney would. List any factual gaps, vague language, or elements that could be challenged: [paste report]
Rewrite these rough field notes as formal police report language. Keep all facts exactly as stated: [notes]
Explain what [charge] means in plain language for someone with no legal background, in under 100 words.
What is the correct charge and [state] statutory citation for [describe the act]? Is it a felony or misdemeanor?