Policy Text
SACRAMENTO POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDERS
GO 360.01
Page 1 of 5
360.01
MEDIA RELATIONS
5/12/20
PURPOSE
This policy provide s guidelines for the Sacramento Police Department (SPD) members ’ interaction
with the news media.
POLICY
The Sacramento Police Department shall work with the news media and its representatives to make
timely information available as well as facilitate access when possible to matters of public concern.
RESPONSIBILITIES
A. PUBLIC INFORMAT ION OFFICE
1. The Public Information Officer (s) (PIO) duties shall include, but are not limited to :
a) Handling of the daily news media inquiries regarding police activities occurring within the
city limits, as well as questions relative to ongoing criminal investigations.
b) Responding to the scene s of prolonged major incident s, disaster s, or emergencies upon
request of the Chief of Police (COP), Office of Investigations (OOI) supervisor or a Watch
Commander.
c) Responding to media requests for information as soon as practical.
d) Coordinating media requests for SPD members interviews , interviews with the (COP ),
media news conferences, and responding to media questions concerning Department
policy.
e) Coordinating ride -alongs requested by the media .
2. The PIO shall maintain an on-call list for media liaison representatives consisting of SPD
member s selected by the COP who have been trained to perform the duties of the PIO.
3. The PIO representative s on the on-call list shall be subject to recall 24 hours a day, seven (7)
days a week, and subject to call out s from OOI supervisors, Incident Commanders, Watch
Commanders, or designee.
B. OFFICE OF INVESTIGATIONS
1. Division Captain shall ensure :
a) All media inquiries are forward ed to the PIO for follow up.
b) Press releases drafted by OOI units shall be sent to the PIO for approval and
dissemination.
2. Detectives in charge of a crime scene who request to have the PIO respond to the scene shall
make the request to the respective Watch Commander or designee.
C. COMMUNICATIONS DIVISION
1. Communications Division supervisors and/or their designee(s) should:
a) Serve as a point of contact for any media inquiries when the PIO is unavailable . The
Communications Division shall refer the media to the on-duty Watch Commander when
the PIO is unavailable.
b) Ensure information released to the media representatives includes the hundred -block and
street name of the location of the event or incident (including the names of commercial
businesses, schools, restaurants, etc.) unless the release of information could potentially
impede an investigation, jeopardize safety or otherwise disrupt police activity .
c) Refer media representatives to the PIO office during normal business hours .
SACRAMENTO POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDERS
GO 360.01
Page 2 of 5
d) Refer media representatives to the PIO office for information regarding prior events, daily
log activity, or community tips not related to a developing event.
e) Notify the on-duty Watch Commander and the PIO of potentially newsworthy events during
PIO offi ce business h ours.
D. OFFICE OF OPERATIONS
1. Watch Commanders shall :
a) Determine if the PIO should be called to handle an ongoing event or incident .
2. If the media request is for routine information, and the information is not immediately
available, or its disclosure would otherwise be impracticable, refer the requestor to the PIO.
E. GUIDELINES FOR THE RELEASE OF INFORMATION THAT DOES NO T COMPR OMISE A N
INVESTIGATION
1. Information released by the PIO or designee shall be pursuant to Government Code section
6254(f) (1-2).
2. Suspect/ arrestee photographs or interviews
a) Officers who have suspects in custody shall not move or pose them for media pictures.
b) Officers shall not prevent any person from photographing or videotaping suspects,
arrestees, or department personnel in public places where they have no reasonable
expectation of privacy unless there is a safety concern or other strategic reason ( i.e.,
endangering safety of involved parties, personnel or there is a pending investigation).
c) Suspects in SPD police custody shall not be interviewed by media representatives.
3. Cases being submitted to the District Attorney’s office
a) Once a preliminary hearing has begun , SPD members shall not comment to the media on
any case, or any defendant in the case .
b) Media requests shall be referred to the Sacramento County District Attorney’s office.
F. POLICE REPORTS AND PHOTOGRAPHS
1. Crime r eports or incident reports involving juveniles may only be released pursuant to
applicable laws.
2. The PIO shall only release photographs and/or mugshots of adults to the news media when :
a) it may aid in the investigation ;
b) it may assist in the apprehension of the suspect ;
c) it benefits public safety ; or
d) if release of the photographs does not compromise the investigation (i.e., prior to a
photo graphic or live lineup).
3. The PIO shall not release photographs of juvenile suspects/arrestees to the news media
unless authorized by the COP.
4. Photographs of missing persons may be released to the media after the authorizing parent,
guardian or other authorized party has given verbal authorization on camera via the use of the
Body Worn Camera .
G. VICT