Definition

Noun: - The daily written record of events (as arrests) in a police station: A chronological log maintained by a police department to officially document incidents, arrests, complaints, and other activities reported or handled.

Usage

The term "police blotter" refers specifically to the official, often public, ledger or logbook. It is used as a singular noun, typically preceded by "the" or "a." It describes the record itself, not the act of recording.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The journalist checked the police blotter for any incidents overnight.
  • Details of the arrest were entered into the police blotter.
  • Many local newspapers publish excerpts from the police blotter.

Advanced Usage

• "to be on the blotter": To be recorded in the police blotter, meaning an incident or arrest has been officially logged.
  • The vandalism was on the blotter by 10 PM.

Variants and Related Words

• Blotter (noun): Can be used alone informally to mean "police blotter."
  • He's in charge of updating the blotter.
• Arrest log (noun): A close synonym focusing on arrests.
• Day book (noun): A general term for a daily record of events.
• Charge sheet (noun): A related record detailing formal charges.

Synonyms

• Log: A record of events in chronological order.
• Register: An official list or record.
• Journal: A daily record of news and events.

Related Phrases

• Blotter report: A formal report generated from the blotter entries.
  • The sergeant reviewed the blotter report from the previous shift.

Noun

1. the daily written record of events (as arrests) in a police station