Policy Text
Kern County Sheriff’s Office
Policies and Procedures
TITLE:
MEDIA RELATIONS-RELEASE OF INFORMATION
NO: I-100
APPROVED: Donny Youngblood, Sheriff-Coroner
REFERENCE: Government Code 6253e, 6254f
EFFECTIVE:
August 1, 1990
REVIEWED:
1/19/2018
REVISED:
03/10/2006
UPDATED:
1/19/2018
I-100-1
POLICY
Freedom of the press is a fundamental constitutional guarantee. The news media reports on the
activities of law enforcement agencies and the administration of justice. However, it is
recognized that the constitutional rights of a free press can conflict with the constitutional right
of an accused to a fair trial. Article 1, Section 1 of the California Constitution grants a right to
privacy to individuals, i.e., victims, witnesses, suspects, etc., under certain circumstances.
Therefore, it is essential to establish guidelines for the disclosure and reporting of information
relating crimes, investigations or other incidents and those individuals associated with those
events.