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.
