Briefing / 3 MIN READ
The five-minute check before you send a briefing.
Check relevance, sources, clarity, and the links before your squad opens the brief.
Check the reason for each item
Read each item and ask what it adds to this audience’s day. Remove duplicate points and material included only because it was easy to find. If the relevance is not obvious, write a short explanation. The reader should not have to reverse-engineer why you selected the story.
Check dates and source context
Open the original links. Confirm that the headline, date, and summary still match what the source says. Watch for older events presented as new developments and reports that have since been updated. Label your discussion prompts separately from the source’s reported facts.
Check the action
Make it clear whether an item is for awareness, discussion, or an established required action. Avoid vague instructions that sound mandatory without identifying their authority. For a discussion item, one specific question is usually easier to engage with than several broad ones.
Open it the way an officer will
Review the shared brief on a phone if possible. Test links, check whether the video opens, and make sure important text is readable. Confirm that the distribution channel is appropriate for the information included. Then send a short introduction that tells the squad what to expect.
Use the free copyable police briefing template and five-minute example with your next shift.
Download the editable briefing template or read a complete sample police briefing.