308 News Media Flashcards
Who can release official department information?
Chief of police, bureau commanders, divisions commanders, pios, or individuals specifically designated to release the information.
What are the duties of a pio
- Assist news media personnel in covering routine news stories;
- Assist news media personnel at the scenes of major incidents;
- Be available for on-call responses to the news media;
- Preparing and distributing news releases;
- Arrange and assist with news media conferences;
- Coordinate and authorize the release of information about victims, witnesses, and suspects;
- Assisting in crisis situations within the agency;
- Coordinating and authorizing the release of information concerning confidential investigations and operations at the direction of the Chief or his/her designee;
- Developing procedures for releasing information when other public service agencies are involved in a mutual effort.
- Updating and managing departmental social media accounts while ensuring compliance with the County’s social media guidelines.
Pio business hours
M-f 8-5.
Someone else can also be designated as a pio temporarily if one is on vacation or off for the day
Who releases information retaining to admin matters or personal information about officers?
Pio with the concurrence of the chief or his designee
Who can release information without prior approval from a pio?
Division commanders, precinct commanders, on scene supervisors can release information in their span of control.
Cid supervisors, commanders can release information in their span of control
Other commanders can release information related to their span of control
What happens if a major crime scene develops and a pio is not available?
Supervisor on scene or senior officer should provide a brief synopsis to the media.
Pios should be brought to all major incidents if available though
How do communication supervisors provide info to the media?
In accordance with their guidelines for communications
Who is required to notify pio of newsworthy calls?
On duty Supervisors
How should pios be notified of calls?
In a timely manner
Current incident reporting information
Media can obtain reports through govqa portal. Request will be filled by pio M-F during normal business hours. Request will not be filled after hours.
Who is the direct point of contact with the media?
Pios.
Are officers obligated to speak with the media again their interest?
Officers are encouraged to reply with requests however, are not required to release any information that is premature or harmful to a case.
Incidents involving other jurisdictions
Pios will coordinate with that jurisdiction or supervisors to release information. If incidents invole Gcpd in another jurisdiction, primary responsibility to release info is with the jurisdiction.
Releasing the names of persons killed or injured
Ofcs need to identify the victim of a criminal act or accident. Then notify next of kin before releasing name and address to the media.
Name of person notifying next of kin will be noted in the report.
If next of kin cannot be notified in a reasonable time, info may be released
News media access
All members of the department shall extend courtesy to media members covering the incident. To include closer access to the scene with persons and vehicles. Will be at the discretion of the incident commander. All media members will be granted equal curtesy regardless of affiliation.
Police crime scene tape
Media members are expected to stay behind the tape until granted further access. If media crosses line without permission pio will be notified.
Major crime scenes and media
Pio or division commander if pio is not present will set up a central point for all media. All media personnel will identify themselves.
They will be granted closer access with the permission of the pio and concurrence of division commander. Pio will give periodic updates
Obstructing the media
No member of the department will knowingly obstruct the media from doing their duty.
However, media members are not above any laws
After the scene is completed by police - media access
Only the owner of a private business or dwelling can grant media access to a dwelling or surrounding curtilage to get more information.
Media photographing or videoing
No member will either encourage or discourage media from doing their job where they are lawfully allowed to stand and observe. Suspects, victims, family members can be moved for shelter to protect the integrity of the case. Evidence can be covered.
Can officers decide whose credible media or not?
No
Highly sensitive information in big crime scenes media
Division commander can request that the media not film or photo members of swat or undercover officers.
Is a request media does not have to comply
Periodic meetings with the press conducted by pio
Pio members will meet with members of the press to discuss how to work better together in the future.
Information available to media members in criminal and traffic accidents
If over 17 - name and all other biographical info
Under 17 - media must follow ga open records act
Charges
Arresting agency
Time and place of arrest, pursuits, resistance, drugs, weapons, and any injuries
Crime victims and items taken/damaged
All reports and closed investigations where juveniles appear as victims should be disclosed
Law does not require a minors name to be redacted unless child abuse case
Information that will not normally be released to media
Info which could harm on going investigations
Statements related to character or reputation of suspects, witnesses, or victims such as previous arrest
Any thing related to statements, confessions, alibis, etc
The performance on any test or refusal to take any test
Statements regarding any witnesses
Possibility of any plea deals
Any opinions on evidence in the case or potential arguments to be used in court
Non crime related information that may be released to media
With review and approval of the chief of police, major personnel, organizational, or policy changes
Human interest concerning the department and its personnel
Home address and phone numbers of Gcpd personnel
Shall not be released
Photos given to the media by the pio
Subject to admin constraints, legal restrictions, and adequate notification
Releasing personnel records, disciplinary actions
Subject to open records act ocga 50-18-70 and will be made available after redactions are made
Communication releasing info to the media
“Crime” at “location” has or has not been confirmed.
Traffic notifications to media
Communications will provide timely updates to media regarding traffic conditions upon request
Traffic fatalities communications to media
Only supervisors can release upon receiving a completed copy of a media release form.
Names of fatalities only released after next of kin has been notified.
Radio notifying pio
Timely manner in any calls that may be news worthy or concern a pio. If pio not present designated alternate will be provided.
Pio will be notified in the event of these calls
All homicides and assault in which death is imminent.
Missing persons where foul play is suspected
Verified kidnappings
All swat activities
Accidents involving school buses
Train derailment
Officer involved shootings
Any great injury to citizens by Leo
Any event that will attract heavy news
Mattie’s calls
Work strikes
Fatal traffic accidents
Vehicle pursuits
Natural disaster
Fire operations involving major detour
News media input
Pio will recommend changes to this policy. Media members in Gwinnett will have a chance to offer input
What calls will trigger a command page
Officer injured being transported to hospital
Officer involved use of deadly force
Homicide
Swat
Traffic accidents/incidents where highways are closed
Vehicle pursuits
Aiu callouts
Natural disasters
Homeland security incident
Notification from national weather service
Civil disturbance
Aircraft or railroad incidents involving death or release of dangerous chemicals
Criminal act on county property involving serious injury or death
Critical missing persons call
What are divison commanders responsible for
Notifying the chief of incidents in their areas that may be a media concern or may involve liability on the department. In matters involving the media the pio should be briefed
What is the command duty officer, supervisor, precinct commander responsible for notifying?
The shift commander is responsible for notifying the precinct commander and pio of any incident or activity deemed to be important. It is the precinct commanders responsibility to see if further notification is necessary
Who is the communication supervisor responsible for notifying
Notifies the chief of any officer injury requiring transport to the hospital or officer involved shooting or fatalities
