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Date: 12/16/85 Revision: 02/23/23 Reviewed: 02/23/23 HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE CHAD CHRONISTER , SHERIFF STANDARD OPERATING PROCED URE Number: GEN 119.00 Page : 1 of 8 SUBJECT: NEWS RELEASE AND MEDIA COOPERATION I. PURPOSE : The purpose of this standard operating procedure is to define the guidelines to assist Sheriff's Office personnel in making new s releases and i n providing cooperation and assistance to News Media with regard to cases and/or incidents over which the Sheriff's Office has primary jurisdiction. II. SCOPE : This procedure shall apply to all Sheriff's Office personnel. III. DISCUSSION : It is the pol icy of the Sheriff's Office to cooperat e fully with News Media representatives in their efforts to gather and disseminate factual information to the public . IV. DEFINITIONS : A. Executive Staff - Members of the Sheriff's Office holding th e rank of Colone l or above. B. News Media - Accredit ed, or properly identified , representatives of local, national, or international news organizations, or other news sources. The Sheriff's Office recognizes valid identification from accredited news age ncies or other n ews sources including, but not limited to, media cards issued by other area law enforcement agencies. Appropriate media privileges are extended to properly identified News Media representatives, or other news sources, due to the public pur pose served by s uch agencies. C. Shift Commander - Lieutenant or Acting Lieutenant in command of an on -duty shift or platoon. * V. PUBLIC INFOR MATION PLAN : [CALEA 11.3.4 (D)] A. Timely notif ication of the public is critical toward maintaining public tru st and confiden ce. As such, coordination of the re lease of public information should be considered at the earliest possible junct ure where it will not detract from the quality and effectiveness of investigations. B. Prior to the release of any informa tion to the publi c, the content of such release shall be approved by the Sheriff, Ch ief Deputy , or designee. C. Whenever practical, information will be delivered to the public through a singular source, such as the Public Affairs Office. VI. MEDIA PROCE DURES : A. News Media Complaints : 1. Complaints initiated by Sheriff's Office personnel against the News Media shall be documented in an inter-office memorandum and forwarded through the chain of command to the Sheriff . If the Sheriff concurs with the memorandum, a le tter shall be sent to the individual's employer citing the specific violation. A resolution GEN 119.00 02/23/23 Page 2 of 8 between the Sheriff’s Office and the News Media representa tives will be made on a case -by-case basis. 2. In cases of serious violations of Sheriff 's Office polici es or procedures relating to News Media cooperation, the Sheriff may refer the complaint to the Professional Standards Bureau , Legal Division , or other component for investigation and recommendation as to the type of action to be taken. B. News Media Access: News Media representatives may be provided access to Sheriff's Office personnel or information as the Sheriff’s Office deems appropriate and in a manner that does not interfere with the official purpose and mission of the Sheriff’s Office. Problems t hat arise between News Media representatives and members of the Sheriff’s Office shall be referred to the deputy in charge at the incident scene, a supervisor, and/or the Public Affairs Officer , or designee. C. Withholding Information: 1. When News Media requests for information are denied by members of the Sheriff's Office, the denial shall be on the basis of privacy rights, safety of a defendant, wi tness, victim, or other legal factors. Reasons of information denial shall be adequate ly and courteous ly explained. 2. Arresting or investigating deputies , who are likely to be primary prosecution witnesses in a criminal case , shall avoid making statem ents to the News Media about information that would normally be given in a deposition or a t trial. D. Public Information Shall Be R eleased: 1. As promptly as circumstances allow. 2. In an impartial, courteous, and objective manner. 3. By a member of th e Sheriff's Office who has confirmed knowledge of the facts and is able to decide what may or may not be di sclosed. 4. In compliance with any and all legal requirements. Any member of the Sheriff's Office , who does not have confirmed knowledge of the facts, shall assist the News Media by referring the inquiry to the Public Affairs Office and providing the name and phone number of the individual to be contacted. E. Phone Inquiries : Members of the Sheriff's Office are authorized to give public information over the phone to known representatives of the News Media . In cases where the media represe ntative is not k nown, verification of identity may be accomplished with a phone call or email to the employing agency or by utilizing other methods of verification . VII. AUTHORIZATION FOR THE RELEASE OF INVESTIGATIVE INFORMATION : A. Who May Release Investigative Info rmation: 1. Media requests for investigative information shall be referred to Public Affairs Office personnel, the supervisor in charge of the invest