Signing the Statement
Making a Statement to the Police
There are three sections to our guide on making a statement to the police:
Signing the statement
Only sign the statement when you have checked it carefully.
Signing it means you are happy that the content is a fair and accurate record of your knowledge of what is being investigated.
Most importantly:
Read the whole of the statement yourself (or get your solicitor to read it to you).
- No statement should be signed blindly.
- Reading the statement yourself allows you the time to check the statement is accurate and to speculate what another reader might make of it.
- The handwriting must also be clear. Reading the statement yourself will allow you to check that others will be able to read it and the words will not be misread.
If you are not happy with the statement, DO NOT SIGN IT.
It is your statement – it should be in your words.
- You must be completely happy with it. It should be as full and as complete as you know how. Take your time to check it thoroughly.
- Remember: it is a legal document and may one day be used in court.
If you’re not happy the statement correctly tells your story, DO NOT SIGN IT.
No Changes.
After signing a statement it cannot be changed.
If they are additions, subtractions and/or modifications to be made, a completely new statement must be made. This can be unwise, as changes made after signing, may be treated as suspect. Though this is not always the case.
Before signing the statement, if you believe that:
- Something is missing – ask for it to be added.
- Something should not be there – ask for it to be removed.
- Something is not correct – ask for it to be changed.
If you are still not happy with the statement, DO NOT SIGN IT.
When you are happy with the contents of the statement sign it at the bottom of EVERY page. On the last page sign immediately below the last line of your statement; this is very important; it ensures that nothing can be added. This safeguards both yourself and the police.
