Policy Text
Revisions or additions are highlighted 1 (06/12/2023 ) ST. PETERSBURG POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
Subject: RELEASE OF INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC AND NEWS MEDIA
Index as: Information Release Press Release Policy Public Information Officer
News Media Policy Public Record Public Information Release Procedures
PIO Public Information Release of Public Information
Accreditation Standards: 41.2.4 , 54.1.1, 54.1.2, 54.1.3, 55.1.1 and CFA 1.07
Cross Reference: G.O. II-15, Security of Records and Files
§119.07, §119.01, §316.066 and §985.04(5), F.S.S.
Replaces : G.O. II-03, Release of Information to the Public and News Media (April 21, 2022 )
This Order consists of the following sections:
I. Policy
II. Definitions
III. Public Information Function
IV. Information Available for Release
V. Information Not Available for Release
VI. Persons Authorized to Release Information
VII. Media Relations at Crime/Incident Scenes
VIII. Identification of Media Representatives
IX. Media Information Sources
I. POLICY
A. The St. Petersburg Police Department recognizes the right of the public to have access to public records and the
news media’s right to report on matters of public interest. In accordance with Chapter 119 of the Florida State Statutes, it is
the policy of t he Department to release all information in a manner which does not jeopardize an individual ’s rights nor impair
the prosecution of the offender nor impede the law enforcement process.
B. It is the policy of this Department that a professional, working relationship be maintained between the police and
news media representatives, so both may accomplish their respective objectives. News media representatives are
recognized as having an obligation to gather information which is in the public interes t; and, as long as the fulfillment of their
tasks does not interfere with police objectives, they will be permitted to pursue their activities without interference from police
personnel, within the confines of the law.
DATE OF
ISSUE EFFECTIVE DATE NUMBER
August 2017 Immediately II-03
Distribution: All Employees
General Order II -03
Revisions or additions are highlighted 2 (06/12/2023 ) II. DEFINITIONS
A. Public Information Officer (PIO) – Any employee acting in that capacity as a member of the Community Awareness
Division.
B. Public Record – All documents, papers, letters, maps, books, tapes, photographs, films, sound recordings, data
processing software or other material, regardless of the physical form, characteristics or means of transmission, made , or
received pursuant to law or ordinance or in connection with the transaction of official business by any agency.
III. PUBLIC INFORMATION FUNCTION
A. The Department has established a Public Information Office in the Community Awareness Division.
1. The Manager, Community Awareness Division, or designee serves as the Public Information Officer (PIO).
2. The PIO will:
a. Assist news personnel in covering news stories at the scenes of crimes or incidents;
b. Prepare and distribute agency news releases;
c. Arrange for and assist at news conferences;
d. Be available for on -call responses to the news media;
e. Coordinate and authorize the releas e of in -formation about victims, witnesses and suspects;
f. With approval of the Chief of Police, coordinate and authorize the release of information concerning
confidential agency investigations and operations, including those where the accused may be a Department employee ; and
g. Develop procedures for releasing information when other public service agencies are involved in a mutual
effort.
B. The PIO will involve media representatives in the development and revision of policies and procedures relating to
the news media.
IV. INFORMATION AVAILABLE FOR RELEASE
A. All public records, except those which are exempt under Chapter 119, F.S.S. or other applicable law, will be made
available upon request to interested citizens or members of the news media in a reasonable time and under reasonable
conditions.
B. Public records will be released to the news media without partiality. No e mployee will delay the release of
information to favor any particular news media representative or agency.
C. Information will be made available from:
1. Source Documents:
a. Incident Reports
b. Citations
c. Crash Reports
1) Florida law restricts who may obtain a copy of the report . Crash reports or related information may only
be released by the Records Division , or the Legal Division.
2) At all times, the crash reports, including supplements that do not contain criminal investigative
information, may only be released when the investigation is complete or when the investigation will not be impeded by
questioning the investig ating officer, except as may be limited by this Order.
d. Bicycle Registrations
e. Solicitor Permit
f. Taxi Permits
g. Complaint/Arrest Affidavits
h. Memorandums to All Personnel or All Officers relating Department policies or procedures; however,
investigative techniques or procedures will not be released .
General Order II -03
Revisions or additions are highlighted 3 (06/12/2023 ) 2. Crime/incident Information - in synopsis form will be released from the scene if at all possible, including:
a. Type of crime/incident
b. Date/time occurred
c. Address occurred (except as may be limited by sections in this order);
d. Nature of injury or loss if any
e. Possible type of weapon us ed (i.e., gun,