Defensible Review Process
Learn a clear, step-by-step method for evaluating police reports that promotes consistency, accountability, and legal defensibility. Apply a structured approach that helps supervisors make confident approval decisions.
Identifying Red Flags and Gaps
Recognize omissions, inconsistencies, and investigative gaps that can undermine cases or create credibility issues. Develop the ability to spot problems early and provide corrective feedback that strengthens reports.
Legal Responsibilities and Disclosure Obligations
Understand how supervisory review connects to disclosure requirements, credibility concerns, and case outcomes. Learn how review failures can lead to suppressed evidence, dismissed cases, and increased agency liability.
About the Course
You already know how to write a solid police report—that’s why you’re a supervisor. However, as a supervisor, your responsibility extends far beyond your own reports. You are now accountable for reviewing, approving, and defending the reports written by others, and the quality of those reports directly impacts investigations, prosecutions, and agency liability. This course is designed to help supervisors answer a critical question: Do you truly know how to review a police report for accuracy, completeness, and legal sufficiency? Whether you are a newly promoted supervisor or a seasoned leader with years of experience, this training provides essential tools to help you identify what matters most in a police report and how deficiencies—small or large—can negatively affect a case. Course Overview This is not a grammar class and not a report-writing class. Instead, this course focuses on the supervisory review process—teaching participants how to critically evaluate police reports to ensure they are thorough, accurate, unbiased, and legally defensible. Participants will learn how to identify missing elements, inconsistencies, and red flags that may compromise an investigation or weaken a prosecution. The course emphasizes how effective supervisory review improves investigative outcomes, enhances officer performance, and reduces agency exposure to civil liability. Legal Considerations Every Supervisor Must Know Supervisors play a key role in protecting both their officers and their agency. This course addresses critical legal issues that supervisors must understand, including: - Brady v. Maryland - Giglio v. United States - Disclosure obligations and credibility issues - How inadequate report review can lead to suppressed evidence, dismissed cases, or costly litigation If these cases are unfamiliar, this training is essential. Understanding these legal principles is not optional for supervisors—it is a professional obligation. What You Will Learn Participants will gain the ability to: - Identify what information must be included in a police report - Evaluate reports for factual accuracy, completeness, and consistency - Recognize investigative gaps and documentation deficiencies - Ensure reports support successful prosecution and courtroom testimony - Understand how supervisory failures in report review can expose agencies to liability - Apply consistent and defensible report review standards across personnel
Gerald Ladwig
Gerald Ladwig retired as Chief of the Midland Michigan Police Department with over 16 years in supervision including road patrol and investigations. His 28 year Criminal Justice career now continues as the Magistrate for the 75th District Court. He has many years of experience testifying in court, and he directed several trials and hearings during his time as an assistant prosecutor a position he held after retiring from the police department. Gerald is a licensed attorney with a JD from Michigan State University College of Law. He has received numerous training certificates throughout his career, including graduating from LEELI, the Eastern Michigan University School of Staff and Command, as well as the FBI Michigan Police Executive Development Program, and the Northwestern University Traffic Enforcement Course. Gerald has served as an instructor for the Northeastern Police Academy at Delta College and as an adjunct faculty member at Delta College specializing in Search and Seizure 4th Amendment and 5th Amendment issues.
Ready to Enhance Your Supervisory Skills?
Enroll now to gain the ability to identify report deficiencies, understand legal implications, and apply best practices in report review.
$224.00