How to Write a Police Witness Statement (MG11)

• Student officers and probationers writing their first statements
• Officers refreshing their knowledge of MG11 best practice
• Officers preparing statements in complex cases who want a structural checklist

1. 1

   Understand what an MG11 is for

   The MG11 is the standard witness statement form used across England and Wales. It records a witness account of events relevant to an investigation. For officer statements, it must capture what you personally did, saw, heard, or said — your direct evidence. It is a legal document that may be read to a court.

2. 2

   Write in the first person, past tense

   Statements are written in the first person ("I") and in the past tense ("I attended", "I observed"). Avoid passive constructions ("It was noticed that...") — they are unclear about who noticed what and weaken the evidential value of the statement.

3. 3

   Be chronological and factual

   Structure your statement in the order events happened. Do not skip around in time. Each paragraph should generally cover one time period or one topic. State only what you directly perceived — what you saw, heard, smelled, or physically encountered. If you inferred or concluded something, label it clearly as such.

4. 4

   Distinguish evidence from opinion

   Evidence: "The male stated: I did not touch her." Opinion: "I formed the opinion that he was attempting to minimise his involvement." You can include opinion in a statement, but it must be clearly identified as your professional assessment rather than fact.

5. 5

   Reference exhibits correctly

   Every piece of physical evidence you seized, handled, or produced should be referenced as an exhibit. Use your initials and a sequential number (for example, PB/1). Describe the exhibit in the statement and state when and where it was seized. Do not exhibit something in a statement without ensuring the exhibit continuity documentation is completed.

6. 6

   Complete the declaration correctly

   The MG11 declaration states that you are making the statement knowing that it is true. Sign and date the statement. Do not alter a signed statement without completing a supplementary statement explaining the amendment. Do not leave the declaration unsigned — an unsigned statement has limited evidential weight.

7. 7

   Review before submitting

   Read your statement back. Is it clear? Does it only contain what you directly witnessed? Are all exhibits referenced? Is the timeline clear? Have you signed the declaration? Ask a colleague or supervisor to review statements in complex cases before submission.

• Writing conclusions before evidence ("He was clearly drunk" without describing the specific signs you observed)
• Using police jargon without explanation — a court must understand your statement
• Leaving gaps in your account — explain why you did not witness something if relevant
• Failing to reference exhibits in the statement body, only listing them on the exhibit form
• Using passive voice throughout, which obscures who did what

Seek guidance from your DS or supervisor if you are writing a statement in a serious case, if you are unsure how to handle a sensitive exhibit, or if you are asked to alter a statement in a way that concerns you. Contact your Federation rep immediately if you feel pressured to write something inaccurate.