For Patrol Officers ·
What you'll accomplish
Generic AI gives generic outputs. Configured correctly, ChatGPT writes in police report language every time — your role, your report format, your department's preferred language already in place. This guide does that configuration so every conversation starts from the right baseline.
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?