How to Cover a Police Beat for a Newspaper

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: Purchase a 'handheld' police scanner radio.

   Depending on what signal type (digital vs. analog) the police broadcast in in your area, this will cost between $75 and $500 or more in pounds.
   
   The scanner is the wellspring of breaking news on this beat.
   
   Keep it with you as often as possible.
2. 2

   Step 2: Gather important information office phone numbers from all law enforcement and emergency service offices in the vicinity.

   Put these numbers on a printed sheet of paper.
   
   Keep a copy next to the desk and another one in a wallet or purse. , Call those information numbers at least three times a day to check on anything major in the works. , Get to know public information officers.
   
   Give them cellular, office and home phone numbers to reach you.
   
   Get as much contact information from them as possible. , Proceed to the scene. , Talk to any emergency personnel, authorized police officers and witnesses. , Introduce yourself as a reporter.
   
   Make it clear that you are working on an article.
   
   Civilian witnesses should know without a doubt that you might be quoting them in the newspaper. ,, This is breaking news, however, and some questions may be left unanswered at the scene. ,, Fill in the blanks for the reader about those questions that need answering.
   
   If anything remains in doubt, be sure to mention what's left to be determined (and plan to follow that thread in the coming days). ,,, If any changes must be made, alert the editor. ,
3. 3

   Step 3: The scanner doesn't catch everything.

4. 4

   Step 4: If agencies such as the police department and sheriff's office provide daily briefings

5. 5

   Step 5: attend them.

6. 6

   Step 6: If an incident is reported on the scanner

7. 7

   Step 7: get directions to the location

8. 8

   Step 8: notify a photographer or

9. 9

   Step 9: if you're also doubling as the photographer

10. 10

    Step 10: grab a camera.

11. 11

    Step 11: No matter the situation

12. 12

    Step 12: the first order of business should be to assess the scene and scribble notes about details of the scene that might be forgotten later.

13. 13

    Step 13: Display a press pass to authorities and witnesses.

14. 14

    Step 14: Make sure to ask for correct spellings of names and get contact information from witnesses

15. 15

    Step 15: just in case you need to follow up on details later.

16. 16

    Step 16: In the course of reporting on the scene

17. 17

    Step 17: attempt to determine what happened

18. 18

    Step 18: how it happened

19. 19

    Step 19: when it happened

20. 20

    Step 20: where it transpired

21. 21

    Step 21: why it happened and who was involved.

22. 22

    Step 22: Back at the office

23. 23

    Step 23: make follow-up calls on the incident to try to nail down any answers that are missing to the questions above.

24. 24

    Step 24: As deadline looms

25. 25

    Step 25: scour the notebook for all relevant details and quotes

26. 26

    Step 26: coming up with a snappy lead/opening paragraph (no more than 25 words

27. 27

    Step 27: if possible) to draw in the reader.

28. 28

    Step 28: Double check spelling of names and attribution for facts and quotes.

29. 29

    Step 29: Submit the story to the editor.

30. 30

    Step 30: Make last-minute calls to sources on this article for the latest

31. 31

    Step 31: freshest information.

32. 32

    Step 32: Follow up with other police beat sources to make sure you're not missing any other breaking news.

Detailed Guide

About the Author