Fill-in frameworks for the parts of a traffic stop report that get attacked. Replace everything in [BRACKETS]. Delete anything you did not actually observe. A template is a checklist, not a script; the facts have to be yours.
Chronological. Every paragraph answers "what did you see, when, and what did you do about it."
On [DATE] at approximately [TIME] hours, I was on uniformed patrol in a marked squad, [UNIT #], in the area of [LOCATION / BEAT]. BASIS FOR STOP At [TIME] I observed a [COLOR YEAR MAKE MODEL], Illinois registration [PLATE], traveling [DIRECTION] on [STREET] [at/near CROSS STREET]. I observed the vehicle [SPECIFIC VIOLATION: e.g., cross the solid white fog line with both passenger-side tires twice within approximately 200 feet / display an expired registration sticker reading [MM/YY] / fail to signal a lane change from the right lane to the left lane]. This is a violation of 625 ILCS 5/[SECTION]. [IF PLATE RETURN:] I ran the registration through [LEADS/NCIC] which returned [RESULT: e.g., registration suspended for mandatory insurance / registered owner [NAME], DOB [DOB], driver's license revoked]. The driver [matched / did not match] the registered owner's physical description. STOP I activated my emergency lights at [TIME] at [LOCATION]. The vehicle [stopped promptly / continued approximately X blocks before stopping / pulled into a driveway]. I notified dispatch of the stop, plate, location, and [N] occupants. CONTACT I approached on the [driver / passenger] side. Prior to reaching the window I observed [MOVEMENTS: e.g., the driver lean toward the center console with his right hand / nothing unusual]. I identified myself, stated the reason for the stop, and requested the driver's license, registration, and proof of insurance. The driver was identified by [IL DRIVER'S LICENSE / STATE ID / VERBAL] as [NAME], DOB [DOB]. [N] passenger(s): [NAME(S) / unidentified, seated FRONT/REAR]. During this contact I observed [EACH FACT, IN ORDER: odor, visible items, statements, demeanor described specifically]. INVESTIGATION / MISSION At [TIME] I returned to my squad and began [running the driver / preparing a citation for 625 ILCS 5/SECTION]. [DISPATCH / LEADS] returned [RESULTS]. [IF EXTENDED:] Based on [LIST THE SPECIFIC FACTS], I developed reasonable suspicion that [THE OFFENSE YOU SUSPECTED] at approximately [TIME]. At [TIME] I requested [K9 / backup]. I continued [the mission task you were performing] while waiting. [K9 UNIT] arrived at [TIME]. See K9 paragraph. RESULT At [TIME] I [issued citation # / issued a written warning for / arrested NAME for]. The driver was released at [TIME]. Total duration of the stop: approximately [MM] minutes. Stop data card completed. Bodycam [ID] activated for the entire contact.
The paragraph the judge reads twice. Facts first, then the inference, then the time.
During the course of the stop, and prior to completing the citation, I observed the following: (1) [FACT: e.g., a strong odor of raw cannabis emanating from the passenger compartment when the window was lowered]; (2) [FACT: e.g., the driver stated he was traveling from Chicago to St. Louis to visit a cousin but could not provide the cousin's name or address]; (3) [FACT: e.g., the front passenger stated they were going to Springfield]; (4) [FACT: e.g., the vehicle was a third-party rental, rented in [NAME]'s name, who was not present, and the rental agreement had expired two days prior]; (5) [FACT: e.g., the driver's hands were visibly shaking when handing me the documents, and he did not make eye contact when asked about ownership, although he was calm when discussing the traffic violation]. Based on my training and experience, including [SPECIFIC: X years in patrol, [COURSE] interdiction training, N prior arrests involving similar circumstances], the totality of these facts led me to reasonably suspect that [SPECIFIC OFFENSE: e.g., the occupants were transporting a quantity of cannabis in excess of the legal limit / the vehicle contained contraband]. I formed this suspicion at approximately [TIME], which was [BEFORE] I completed the mission of the stop. I then [ACTION: requested a K9 / asked for consent / etc.] at [TIME].
Exact words. Voluntariness factors. Scope. Where the stop stood when you asked.
At [TIME], [BEFORE / AFTER] completing the citation, I asked the driver, "[EXACT WORDS: e.g., Do I have your permission to search your vehicle?]" The driver responded, "[EXACT WORDS]." [IF AFTER THE MISSION WAS COMPLETE:] Prior to asking, I returned the driver's license and documents, told the driver he was free to leave, and he [remained / verbally agreed to continue speaking with me]. The driver was [not handcuffed / not detained beyond the traffic stop / seated in his own vehicle / standing at the rear of his vehicle]. [N] officers were present. No weapons were drawn. No promises or threats were made. The driver [appeared to understand English / was spoken to in SPANISH by Officer NAME]. The driver [did not withdraw or limit consent / limited consent to THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, which I honored]. The request and response were captured on bodycam [ID] at approximately [TIMESTAMP]. [IF WRITTEN CONSENT FORM USED:] The driver read and signed a department consent to search form at [TIME], witnessed by [OFFICER].
Pull the times from the stop timer. State what the dog is trained on.
At [TIME] I requested a K9 unit via [RADIO / CAD] based on the reasonable suspicion described above. At that time I [had not yet completed / was still preparing] the citation for [VIOLATION]. [K9 OFFICER NAME], with K9 [DOG NAME], arrived at [TIME], approximately [N] minutes after my request. [During the wait I continued to: verify the driver's license status / complete the citation / confirm the rental agreement / etc.] Prior to the sniff, [occupants remained in the vehicle / occupants were asked to exit and stood at LOCATION for officer and K9 safety]. K9 [DOG NAME] conducted an exterior free-air sniff of the vehicle beginning at [TIME]. At [TIME], K9 [NAME] [gave a trained final response / alerted] at the [LOCATION ON VEHICLE: e.g., driver's door seam]. K9 [NAME] is certified by [AGENCY] in the detection of [SUBSTANCES: e.g., cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine; NOT cannabis] and was last certified on [DATE]. See K9 officer's supplemental report. Based on the K9 alert [together with the facts above], I had probable cause to believe the vehicle contained [CONTRABAND] and searched the vehicle pursuant to the automobile exception beginning at [TIME].
Terry and Michigan v. Long. Danger plus access, not "officer safety" alone.
I conducted a pat-down of the outer clothing of [NAME] at [TIME] for weapons based on the following specific facts: [e.g., a visible bulge in the right front waistband consistent with the grip of a handgun / the subject repeatedly reached toward his waistband after being told to keep his hands visible / dispatch advised the subject had a prior weapons arrest / the stop occurred at 0215 in an area of recent shots-fired calls and the subject matched the description of a suspect]. The pat-down was limited to the outer clothing. During the pat-down I felt [DESCRIPTION] in the [LOCATION], which based on its [SIZE/SHAPE/HARDNESS] I immediately recognized as [A FIREARM / A KNIFE / contraband under the plain-feel doctrine]. I retrieved the item, which was [DESCRIPTION]. [VEHICLE SWEEP:] Because [NAME] was going to be returned to the vehicle and I reasonably believed he was dangerous and could gain immediate access to a weapon based on [FACTS], I conducted a limited search of the passenger compartment areas within his immediate reach at [TIME], specifically [UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT / THE CENTER CONSOLE / THE DRIVER'S DOOR POCKET].
Separate roadside questioning from custodial interrogation. Quote the subject.
ROADSIDE (NON-CUSTODIAL): During the traffic stop, prior to any arrest, I asked [NAME] [QUESTION]. [NAME] stated, "[EXACT WORDS]." [NAME] was not in custody at this time: he was [in his own vehicle / standing at the roadside], not handcuffed, and had been told the stop was for [VIOLATION]. SPONTANEOUS: Without any question from me, [NAME] stated, "[EXACT WORDS]" at approximately [TIME]. CUSTODIAL: [NAME] was placed under arrest at [TIME] for [OFFENSE]. At [TIME], at [LOCATION], I advised [NAME] of his Miranda rights by reading verbatim from [DEPARTMENT CARD / FORM #]. [NAME] stated he understood his rights [and signed the waiver form / verbally]. [NAME] agreed to speak with me [without an attorney present]. [NAME] then stated, "[EXACT WORDS]." [IF INVOKED:] At [TIME], [NAME] stated, "[EXACT WORDS OF INVOCATION]." All questioning ceased at that time. [No further questions were asked / [NAME] later re-initiated conversation by stating "[EXACT WORDS]" at [TIME]]. Bodycam [ID] captured the advisement and all statements.
The short paragraph that shows restraint. Judges notice it.
I completed [CITATION # / WRITTEN WARNING] for 625 ILCS 5/[SECTION] at [TIME]. I explained the citation and court information to the driver, returned his license and documents, and advised him he was free to leave. The driver departed at [TIME]. The stop lasted approximately [MM] minutes from activation of emergency lights to release. No search was conducted. [IF ASKED:] I asked for and was [denied / given] consent to search; [because consent was denied and I lacked independent reasonable suspicion, no search was conducted and the driver was released without further delay].
