The Intoxicated Teacher

Last month a substitute teacher in South Carolina brought a box of wine to class with her and became sick while she was teaching. You can read the police report at this link: http://www.thesmokinggun.com/file/box-wine-teacher.

The report is excellent – objective and efficient. I’m especially pleased that the officer used active voice throughout the report. Many reports lapse into passive voice near the end (the disposition):

I called EMS for the teacher, Judith Richards-Gartee.  ACTIVE VOICE

EMS came to the school and transported her to LMC.  ACTIVE VOICE

I charged Judith with Public Disorder Conduct (CIT #32881GU) and released her to EMS.  ACTIVE VOICE

I would recommend only one change – using said or told instead of advised:

Mr Morton, an administrator at Brookland Cayce High School, advised me that a substitute teacher was intoxicated while in class.  POLICE JARGON

Mr Morton, an administrator at Brookland Cayce High School, told me that a substitute teacher was intoxicated while in class. BETTER

 

2 thoughts on “The Intoxicated Teacher

  1. Jeanne

    The officer’s report was very to the point and concise. I have a feeling that teacher may be looking for a new job, possibly a new line of work now.

    Reply

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