Policy Text
1 7/02ሺREV 2/90ሻ
NEWS MEDIA POLICY AND PROCEDURES
THE PURPOSE OF THIS GENERAL ORDE R IS TO DEFINE POLICY AND PROCE DURES REGARDING NEWS MEDIA
RELATIONS .
I. GENERAL
A. POLICY
THIS DEPARTMENT RECOGNIZES ITS O BLIGATION TO PROVIDE ACCURATE A ND TIMELY INFORMATION
TO THE PUBLIC REGARDING LA W ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES .
THE POLICY OF THIS DEPARTMENT SH ALL BE TO PERMIT FREE ACCESS BY RECOGNIZED NEWS MEDIA
REPRESENTATIVES TO ALL PUBLIC ARE AS UNDER THE CONTROL OF SHERIF F'S PERSONNEL WHENEVER
POSSIBLE. NEWS MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE THOSE PERSONS WHO IDENTIFY THE MSELVES AS SUCH
THROUGH THE USE OF PRESS CREDENTIALS , MEDIA BUSINESS CARDS , AGENCY CREDENTIALS OR OTHER
DOCUMENTATION WHICH ESTABLISH THE IR PRIMARY PURPOSE TO BE GATHE RING NEWS .
B. ACCESS
WATCH COMMANDERS OR OTHER OFFICERS IN CHARGE OF AN OPERATION SH ALL PERMIT MEMBERS OF
THE NEWS MEDIA ACCESS TO THE SCEN E AND SHALL NOT PREVENT THE PH OTOGRAPHING OF THE
SCENE, SHERIFF'S PERSONNEL , OR THE OPERATION .
C. RESTRICTION OF NEWS MEDIA ACCESS
THE MEDIA MAY BE CONTROLLED AND /OR RESTRICTED DURING THE CONDUCT OF DEPARTMENTAL
OPERATIONS WHEN THE MEDIA MAY BE EXPECTED TO CAUSE :
1. CONTAMINATION OF THE CRIME SCENE ;
2. I N J U R Y O R D E A T H T O A N O T H E R P E R S O N ሺTHIS RESTRICTION SHALL NOT APPLY TO
AUTHORIZED PRESS PERSONNEL WHO HA VE BEEN ADVISED OF POTENTIAL D ANGER TO
THEMSELVES , AND WHOSE PRESENCE DOES NOT I NCREASE THE HAZARD TO OTHERS ሻ; OR
3. INTERFERENCE WITH ESSENTIAL MOVE MENTS OR ACTIONS OF LAW ENFORCE MENT OR OTHER
EMERGENCY PERSONNEL .
THE PRESENCE AND IDENTITY OF NEWS MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES MAY BE RECORDED AND /OR
ESCORTED AT THE DISCRETION OF TH E SCENE COMMANDER WHERE IT APPE ARS REASONABLY
NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN SITE /AREA/SITUATION SECURITY AND /OR PROTECT THE PROPERTY OF
ANOTHER.
2 7/02ሺREV 2/90ሻ II. RESPONSIBILITIES
A. PUBLIC INFORMATION AND COMMUNICAT ION IS A BASIC RESPONSIBILITY OF MANAGEMENT
PERSONNEL .
B. THE AUTHORITY TO RESPOND TO A MEDIA INQUIRY MAY BE DELEGATED D IRECTLY BY THE OFFICE OF
INFORMATION OR OPERATIONALLY WITHI N THE SERVICE AREAS THROUGH T HE CHAIN OF COMMAND .
C. THE DEPARTMENT MEMBER , RANK NOTWITHSTANDING , W H O I S M O S T F A M I L I A R W I T H A N
INVESTIGATION , CRIME, OR INCIDENT SHOULD BE DESIGNATE D TO RESPOND TO MEDIA INQUIRIES AND
SHALL ADVISE THE OFFICE OF INFORMATION . WHEN THIS IS NOT PRACTICAL , THE IMMEDIATE
SUPERVISOR OR SUPERIOR SHOULD RESPOND AFTER BEING FULLY INFORME D BY KNOWLEDGEABLE
SUBORDINATES .
D. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL ANY EMPLOYEE BE COMPELLED TO RESPO ND TO THE MEDIA . EACH
EMPLOYEE OR SUPERVISOR SHALL ASSESS THE PARTICULAR INQUIRY AND DIRECT THE REPORTER TO
THE APPROPRIATE INDIVIDUAL .
E. IN SITUATIONS WHERE A MEDIA IN QUIRY HAS BEEN RECEIVED AND IS N OT CONNECTED TO AN
IMMEDIATE AND ON ‐GOING SITUATION IN THE FIELD , RESPONSE TO THE MEDIA REPRESENTATIVE M