Policy Text
FLORIDA CITY P OLICE
ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTIVE 12-01
Page 1
PUBLIC INFORMATION
FUNCTIONS/ACTIVITIES RELEASE
OF INFORMATION
SEXUAL PREDATORS AND SEXUAL
OFFENDERS NOTIFICATION
NUMBER: 12-01
EFFECTIVE DATE: SEPTEMBER 15, 2015
REVISED: SEPTEMBER 15, 2015
STANDARD: 28.01, 28.02, 28.03, 28.04,
28.05M, 28.06M
______ ______________________ ___________
PURPOSE: To establish departmental
policy and provide guidelines for the release
of information regarding police department
activities to the public through the news
media; to provide procedures for reciprocal
cooperatio n with members of the news
media; to establish accountability for the
public information function in writing; to
provide procedures for the registration and
community notification of sexual
predators and offenders.
SCOPE: All departmental personnel.
UNDE RSTANDING:
It is the policy of this department to
maintain a relationship of support, mutual
respect, cooperation and openness when
providing the news media and the
community with information regarding
public safety, concerns and awareness of the
departm ent’s mission and the release of
information about victims, witnesses,
suspects and those investigations or
operations that are not confidential.
PROCEDURE:
The Public Information Officer (PIO), shall
be charged with the responsibility of
performing th e public information
function. This duty will include assisting the
media in covering news stories and at
the scenes of crimes. [CFA28.01(a)]
Whenever circumstances warrant, media and
public relations activities will be
coordinated by the PIO or through
the Chief of Police.
A. Assistance to news personnel at
incident scenes:
1. The PIO will coordinate all media
contacts at the designated media staging
area of incident scenes, as established by
this policy
2. The PIO or his designee will disseminate
information to media representatives and
will be available for on -call responses to the
news media. [CFA28.01(b)]
3. Identification of media representatives:
a. Members of the department shall receive
the adequate identification of media
representatives prior to permitting access to
controlled and secured areas. Media
representatives include reporters,
photographers, camera operators and other
media personnel.
b. Press credentials or media identification
are the responsibility of the individual media
representative.
FLORIDA CITY P OLICE
ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTIVE 12-01
Page 2
B. Availability of the PIO:
1. Members of the department receiving
inquiries or requests about an
incident or an operational activity will refer
the media representative to the PIO or his
designee
2. It shall be the responsibility of the shift
supervisor to notify the PIO of incidents
where the media may be present.
3. When necessary it will be the
responsibility of the Florida City Police
Dispatcher on duty will be advised to
contact the
PIO and the Chief of Police when needed
Contact numbers for the PIO will be kept
current in the Florida City Police
Communications Center.
C. Press Releases (Preparation and
Distribution):
1. The PIO will determine the content of
press releases that will be provided to the
news media as th ey are approved and
become available. [CFA28.02(a)]
Once it is determined that information is to
be released, it will be made available to all
media sources on an equal basis.
[CFA28.01(c)]
Under no circumstances will such
information be withheld, dela yed or
selectively released to favor any particular
news media representative or agency.
Specific inquiries made independently by
media representatives may, however, be
honored at the time of inquiry.
2. The press release will be used to provide
infor mation regarding major events
within the department’s service area, as well
as events that may affect residents of the
City of Florida City.
3. The PIO, or the Chief’s assigned
designee, shall be the only members
releasing information to the media.
[CFA28 .02(b)]
a. The press release may be completed by
any employee having responsibility for a
particular event or program, but must have
the approval of the Chief of Police prior to
dissemination.
b. Shift supervisors are authorized to release
basic informat ion on incidents occurring
during their tour of duty when the presence
of the PIO is not necessary. Information
released shall be limited to the basic facts of
the incident known to the shift supervisor.
These facts are subject to the guidelines
outlined i n this directive. Requests for
further information should be referred to the
PIO.
c. Members who are asked for information
beyond their range of knowledge or who
doubt the accuracy of their information
should so indicate and refer the media to the
PIO.
4. A copy of the completed press release
will be directed to the Chief of Police
by the PIO or his designee prior to its
dissemination
FLORIDA CITY P OLICE
ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTIVE 12-01
Page 3
D. News Conferences:
1. Press releases will be issued, and press
conferences called when necessitated
by speci fic occurrences or at the discretion
of the Chief of Police.[CFA28.01(d)]
a. Information regarding civil litigation
against the department or its members shall
be released only by the Chief of Police or
his design