Whether you are writing a misconduct report on a player, a coach, an administrator or a field custodian, the same basic guidelines apply. Following are the key guidelines you should consider:
- File a written report only on those cases that warrant special attention. Like the boy who cried wolf, be sure what happened is outside the normal bounds of propriety. Just because you had a few cross words with a player or coach does not normally justify filing an incident report.
- Write down all information as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the more you’ll forget. If it simply is not possible for you to record the information in the locker room after the game, do it as soon as you return home.
- Set the stage and offer all pertinent details. Begin your report by listing the time of the game, the teams involved, the game site, your partner(s), etc. Be sure to include a brief explanation of what led to the incident in question and note anything unusual you observed.
- Stick to the facts. State in unemotional terms what happened, including the exact words used by both you and the offender. Never make such statements as, “That coach was the biggest jerk I’ve ever run across.”
- Keep a copy of the report for future reference. Later you may be asked to amplify your original comments, so keep a copy of your report to which you can refer and re-gather your thoughts should you be called to offer verbal comment. Also, in your personal notes, jot down anything else you feel may be of value, even though the information is not included in the original incident report.
- If the offense involves a physical assault or any damage to your property, report the incident to your local law enforcement agency. If you are injured and wish to have charges brought against your attacker, your local district attorney will advise you about the possibility of filing criminal charges. If you are injured and wish to seek damages via a civil suit, the filing of a criminal complaint is a helpful and sometimes necessary first step. However, if you should seek to file a civil suit, you will need to consult a private attorney.
- Don’t be shy about following up. Since you were involved in the first place, you have a right to know what action, if any, was taken against the offender. A cordial phone call or letter should yield the desired result. If you run into roadblocks along the way, go through proper channels in an effort to seek information on the disposition of the case.
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