What should be documented when a use-of-force incident occurs?

• A. The sequence of events, force options used, durations, injuries, medical treatment, witnesses, and supervisor notifications.
• B. Only note if force was used.
• C. Only record the final outcome.
• D. Only the names of the officers involved.

Answer: (A)

When documenting a use-of-force incident, you want a complete, factual record that reflects how the event unfolded. This means capturing the sequence of events, every force option considered or used, how long each action lasted, any injuries and the medical treatment provided, witnesses present, and who was notified or directed to supervise the incident. This level of detail creates an transparent, defensible account that supports investigations, training evaluations, policy compliance, and accountability for all involved.

Providing only a brief note that force was used leaves out critical context about why actions were taken, the decisions made in real time, and any consequences. Recording only the final outcome omits the steps and dynamics of the encounter, which are essential for assessing reasonableness and adherence to protocol. Limiting documentation to names of officers misses the actions taken and the supervisory decisions that guided the incident. Together, a thorough, chronological record ensures a accurate picture that can be reviewed, learned from, and upheld in any review.