Public Services - Unit 20
P1 - Describe different types of formal written communication used in the uniformed public services.
Written Communication
There are many types of written communication in the Public Services, all of the main services adapt to
similar methods of communication. For example, both the Fire Service and Police Service will produce
written reports after attending an emergency incident. A written report will usually be completed by the
member of the emergency service who is the first responder; reports are written to ensure that all of
the investigation is covered and all evidence is gathered and analysed.
Scenario
There has been a road traffic collision (RTC) on a dual-carriageway heading towards Leicester City
Centre; due to the seriousness of the accident, both lanes have been temporarily closed by
Leicestershire Police Service to protect the scene from evidence tampering, provide safety to the other
road users and also allow space for the Ambulance Service and the Fire Service to get to the scene to
assist in the treating of the injured casualties.
This picture shows the scenario of this road traffic
collision. The road closure can be seen and there
is a lot of traffic in the opposite lane due to traffic
slowing down to look at the incident; this can
cause further danger. During and after this
emergency incident, there will be many different
forms of written communication send to and from
the services involved. These include the Police
Service, Fire Service, Ambulance Service and
Insurance Companies of the drivers involved.
An incident report will be produced shortly after an emergency incident. Usually, the first responder will
complete it referring to their notepad which includes witness statements, evidence notes, scene notes,
involvement of people and extra details such as road closure, damage to property, injured people and
emergency services and organisations involved in the response.
Letters are one form of written communication, this is generally the old way of passing information to
other people in the services since emails are now commonly used since being introduced. However,
letters are the best way for passing sensitive and secret information as emails can be hacked in to in the
event of a cyber-attack. In this scenario, a letter will be used to send the reports and other information
such as evidence. For example, the Police may send the written report to the Fire Service so they can
add any additional information that could make the investigation better.
A memo is a letter that is intended for the employees of the public service. For example, in the Police, a
memo will be created and be available to all Police Officers at the station to see. A memo will include a
range of things such as policy introduction, reminders, upcoming dates of interest, specific instructions
which are all non-official.
P1 - Describe different types of formal written communication used in the uniformed public services.
Written Communication
There are many types of written communication in the Public Services, all of the main services adapt to
similar methods of communication. For example, both the Fire Service and Police Service will produce
written reports after attending an emergency incident. A written report will usually be completed by the
member of the emergency service who is the first responder; reports are written to ensure that all of
the investigation is covered and all evidence is gathered and analysed.
Scenario
There has been a road traffic collision (RTC) on a dual-carriageway heading towards Leicester City
Centre; due to the seriousness of the accident, both lanes have been temporarily closed by
Leicestershire Police Service to protect the scene from evidence tampering, provide safety to the other
road users and also allow space for the Ambulance Service and the Fire Service to get to the scene to
assist in the treating of the injured casualties.
This picture shows the scenario of this road traffic
collision. The road closure can be seen and there
is a lot of traffic in the opposite lane due to traffic
slowing down to look at the incident; this can
cause further danger. During and after this
emergency incident, there will be many different
forms of written communication send to and from
the services involved. These include the Police
Service, Fire Service, Ambulance Service and
Insurance Companies of the drivers involved.
An incident report will be produced shortly after an emergency incident. Usually, the first responder will
complete it referring to their notepad which includes witness statements, evidence notes, scene notes,
involvement of people and extra details such as road closure, damage to property, injured people and
emergency services and organisations involved in the response.
Letters are one form of written communication, this is generally the old way of passing information to
other people in the services since emails are now commonly used since being introduced. However,
letters are the best way for passing sensitive and secret information as emails can be hacked in to in the
event of a cyber-attack. In this scenario, a letter will be used to send the reports and other information
such as evidence. For example, the Police may send the written report to the Fire Service so they can
add any additional information that could make the investigation better.
A memo is a letter that is intended for the employees of the public service. For example, in the Police, a
memo will be created and be available to all Police Officers at the station to see. A memo will include a
range of things such as policy introduction, reminders, upcoming dates of interest, specific instructions
which are all non-official.
