Adding Updates

Incidents often develop over time. New information emerges, follow-up actions are taken, or the situation resolves. This guide explains how to add updates to an existing incident.

The Append-Only Model

N4 Safety uses an append-only approach for incident updates:

• Original entries are never modified.
• All updates are timestamped and attributed to the user who added them.
• This preserves the historical record and maintains accountability.

[!NOTE] You cannot edit or delete previous entries. If you made an error, add a new update with the correction.

When to Add an Update

Add an update when:

• New information is discovered.
• A follow-up action is taken (e.g., police contacted, suspect identified).
• Additional attachments are available (e.g., police report received).
• The incident status changes (e.g., Open → Closed).
• People or POCs need to be tagged to the incident.

How to Add an Update

1. Navigate to Incidents from the sidebar.
2. Find the incident you want to update (use search or scroll).
3. Click on the incident to open its detail view.
4. Click Add Update (or the + button in the updates section).
5. Enter your update:
   • Narrative: Describe what’s new or what action was taken.
   • Attachments: Upload any new documents or photos (optional).
   • Linked People: Tag any relevant Persons of Concern (optional).
   • Status Change: Change the incident status if appropriate.
6. Click Submit to save the update.

Update Examples

Scenario	Update Content
Police responded	”Officers Smith and Jones from APD responded. Case number 2024-12345 assigned.”
Subject identified	”Individual identified as John Doe. Linked POC profile.”
Incident resolved	”No further action needed. Status changed to Closed.”
New photo received	”Attached surveillance screenshot from parking lot camera.”

Changing Incident Status

Common status transitions:

• Open → Under Review — Leadership is investigating.
• Under Review → Closed — Matter resolved or no further action.
• Closed → Open — Reopened due to new information.

[!IMPORTANT] Only users with appropriate permissions can change incident status. If you can’t change the status, contact your leadership.

See Also

• Filing an Incident — Create a new incident.
• Searching Incident History — Find past records.