Loading...
424 Media Relations (Issued 05-15-2008)FRIDLEY POLICE DATE OF ISSUE NUMBER: GENERAL ORDER May 15, 2008 424 SUBJECT: REVISION DATE SECTION: Media Relations May 15, 2008 Green I. PURPOSE The police department must have the support of the community to be effective and communication is a key component. Establishing and maintaining a cooperative relationship with the news media is crucial to accomplishing this goal. This Media Relations policy establishes guidelines regarding media relations and the release of information to the public through the news media. II. POLICY No employee shall release any information that would jeopardize an active investigation, prejudice an accused individual’s right to a fair trial, or violate any data practices law. It is the policy of this agency to cooperate with the news media and to maintain an atmosphere of open communication. A positive working relationship with the media is mutually beneficial. To this end, information will be released to the news media in an impartial, accurate and timely fashion. It is the responsibility of each employee to abide by this philosophy of cooperation. III. PROCEDURE A. It is the ultimate responsibility of the Public Safety Director to release information to the public. That responsibility may be delegated to the following personnel: 1. The Command Officer in charge of the Detective Unit will be designated as the Public Information Officer (PIO). In some circumstances a Division Commander or the on-call administrator may act as the PIO for an incident. The PIO shall be the primary contact for the news media. a. Supervisors with responsibility for a specific case/incident may be the secondary contact for the news media in the absence or at the direction of the PIO b. The Public Safety Director, PIO, or a supervisor may direct other employees to respond to media inquiries. B. PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER FUNCTION 1. The PIO function will support the agency and its personnel in matters involving the news media. To accomplish this, the PIO or designee will be available for emergencies and critical incidents. 2. The on-duty shift supervisor shall be responsible for ensuring that the PIO is informed of major incidents and all other events that may generate media interest. C. PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER PROCEDURES 1. Media Inquiries a. The agency will respond to all media inquiries in a timely and professional manner. b. During normal business hours, media inquiries shall be directed to the PIO After hours the media may contact the on-duty shift supervisor who will notify the PIO of the situation. 2. Interviews a. The PIO is responsible for assisting the news media by conducting interviews or coordinating interviews with other qualified agency personnel. b. Employees contacted directly by the media shall notify the PIO of any interview requests. c. All conversations with members of the news media should be considered “on the record” and subject to being quoted. 3. News Releases a. News releases shall be written and disseminated to the media and within the agency on major incidents and events of community interest or concern. b. News releases are subject to review by the PIO. c. News releases shall be distributed to any other involved agencies. d. Copies of all news releases shall be maintained in a press release book. 4. News Conferences a. News conferences will be held only in connection with major events of concern to the community. b. The Public Safety Director shall be informed of all news conferences. c. The PIO will facilitate the news conference, which may include the Public Safety Director or designee. 5. Access to Crime Scenes and Critical Incidents a. Agency personnel should be courteous to news media representatives at crime and critical incident scenes. b. At such scenes, agency personnel shall ensure that the media respect the established perimeter. Members of the media have no greater or lesser access to an incident scene than members of the general public. c. The on-scene commander may grant closer access to news personnel and their equipment, to the degree that it does not interfere with law enforcement operations. d. No member of this agency shall prohibit the media from news gathering practices, including photography and interviews, outside the established perimeter. e. News media representatives shall not be prevented from access to any area solely because of the possibility of their injury or death. If this is the only consideration, the media representative should be advised of the danger and allowed to make the decision to enter on his/her volition. f. Information at crime/critical incident scenes will be released by the PIO or on-duty shift supervisor. g. At critical incident scenes, the PIO or on-duty shift supervisor will establish a media briefing area as close to the scene as safety and operational requirements allow. h. At critical incident scenes, members of the agency will work in close cooperation with the media to ensure that live broadcasts do not disclose any information that could endanger law enforcement personnel or the general public. 6. Public Records This agency and its members will abide by all local, state and federal laws governing the release of public records. 7. Access to Suspects Suspects or accused persons in custody shall not be posed or made available for media interviews by any member of this agency. 8. Joint Investigations/Other Agency Involvement In a multi-jurisdictional investigation, the lead investigative agency is responsible for providing or coordinating the release of public information. The PIO or designee for the lead agency will share that information with all involved agencies in advance of public dissemination. D. INFORMATION RELEASE GUIDELINES The release of information is subject to restrictions placed by applicable local, state and federal laws. Further, any information that would hamper the successful conclusion of an investigation or jeopardize the safety of affected persons will not be released. 1. Information That Can Be Released a. Basic information about a crime or incident. b. Basic information about victims, except as excluded by law. c. Descriptions of suspects. d. Basic description of weapons and vehicles used. e. Basic description of stolen items. f. Basic description of injuries and condition of victims. g. The name, age, address and other basic information about arrestees, and the charges against them. h. Information contained in arrest affidavits and other applicable crime/incident reports. 2. Information That Cannot Be Released a. Names, addresses or any information that would identify the victim of a sex offense, child abuse or any other crime where the privacy of the individual is protected by law. b. Names, addresses and basic information about juvenile arrestees as governed by state law. c. Active criminal investigative information, active criminal intelligence information and surveillance techniques. d. Names of informants and information provided by them. e. Supplemental and investigative reports shall not be released until such time as the case is closed or the lead investigator deems it permissible. f. Grand jury testimony and proceedings. g. Active internal affairs investigations as governed by state law. h. Names of witnesses, unless required by state law. i. The identity of critically injured or deceased persons prior to notification of next of kin. j. Home address, telephone numbers and familial information of law enforcement personnel. k. Names of undercover personnel. l. Any other information that could jeopardize the successful conclusion of an investigation and prosecution. m. Any other information prohibited by state law from being publicly disclosed. E. MEDIA RIDE-ALONGS 1. Media Ride-Alongs allow members of the media to accompany law enforcement officers as they perform their duties. Members of the media are subject to the same rules in effect for Ride-Alongs as specified in General Order 419 Ride-Along Program. 2. Employees shall not permit members of the media to accompany them onto private property nor will they assist in securing permission for access from property owners. F. TRAINING This agency is committed to providing proper training for its Public Information Officer. Supervisors, line officers and other personnel who interact with the media will also be provided access to appropriate training. G. ETHICS 1. It is the policy of this agency to treat members of the media with professionalism and ethical behavior. It is expected that the media will respond in a like manner and follow ethical guidelines established by their industry. 2. Members of the agency who believe they were treated unethically by media members should contact the PIO. Media members who believe they were treated unethically by the PIO should contact the Public Safety Director. H. MEETINGS WITH THE MEDIA Reaffirming this agency’s commitment to positive media relations, the Public Safety Director and PIO may meet on a regular basis with media representatives to discuss issues of mutual interest or concern. Proposed or anticipated changes in department policy or procedures dealing with the media also may be addressed at this time. I. PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS 1. Associations with other Public Information Officers This agency is committed to ensuring the PIO function is part of mutual aid support that law enforcement agencies provide to each other. To that end, the PIO may participate in and support professional associations and organizations comprised of PIOs from other public and private agencies. 2. Law Enforcement/Media Associations This agency may participate in regional law enforcement/media associations to further understanding between the two professions. J. LIVE COVERAGE AGREEMENTS Live coverage agreements establish voluntary guidelines for the broadcast of live pictures or information emanating from critical incidents scenes such as hostage situations, barricaded subjects and other ongoing crises. This agency supports the creation, implementation and use of such agreements. K. MEDIA CREDENTIALS This agency acknowledges representatives from recognized media organizations who carry and/or display photographic identification issued by their employer. Anyone else is considered a member of the general public. L. ALTERNATIVE METHODS TO DISSEMINATE INFORMATION It is the policy of this agency to pursue alternative methods of disseminating information directly to the public. These may include community newsletters, government access cable television shows, web sites, public appearances by agency members, public area bulletin boards and others.