Question about writing style in a police blotter:

[Orrex]

The vehicle did pull into an open field near the Hammond Village Housing Facility and the male did flee on foot. NCPD officers did pursue the male and subsequently apprehend the male after utilizing a Taser.

That's from my local paper, describing an arrest following a convicted felon firing 13 shots into an occupied home. But this isn't a gun question.

What's all of that "vehicle did pull into an open field" and "the male did flee on foot" stuff? Is that some kind of mandatory phrasing, or is the writer working through something? The events vary from day to day, but the style is always the same.

Imagine if your friend talked like that:

YOU: How was your evening?
FRIEND: Great! I did order a pizza, then I did drink some beer and did watch The Walking Dead.

You'd think that your friend was messing with you.

[Renew Deal]

1. My guess is it is probably written by the cops

They probably use affirmative statements for depositions. The newspaper is probably hesitant to edit what they receive.

[rug]

2. The auxiliary verb emphasizes and limits each fact alleged.

Criminal law is all about facts.

The idea is to eliminate wiggle room in cross-examination.

The local state police are not so good at that. I read a police report that alleged:

"Pursuant to a traffic stop while questioning the occupants I smelled the aroma of marijuana emanating from the passenger cabin and they admitted they were smoking marijuana earlier in the day. After backup arrived the defendant and co-defendants were placed in custody for possession."

There was one driver and two passengers. Field day at a suppression hearing.