90.1 Media Relations Manual

Question 1

The Office of Primary Interest (OPI) for CHP media relations is the ______.

Answer 1

Office of Community Outreach and Media Relations
COMR

1-3

Question 2

All members of the Department are encouraged to cooperate ______ with authorized news media in providing information to the public in which the public has a legitimate interest.

Answer 2

FULLY

1-4

Question 3

Personnel ______ discuss, with the news media, matters of a politically sensitive nature without approval from COMR.

Answer 3

shall not

1-4

Question 4

Only the rank of ______ or above _______ discuss personnel issues other than critical incidents such as shootings, collisions, etc. When in doubt about any public dissemination, coordinate with your commander for discussion or guidance.

Answer 4

Commanders/Shall

1-4

Question 5

The COMR provides Talking Points on various subjects for personnel to use when speaking on behalf of the Department at major incidents, community engagements, media events, or during press interviews. Talking Points are available on the Department’s Intranet. They are______ for release to the public or media.

Answer 5

not intended

2-5

Question 6

Independent journalists or photographers ______ be credentialed through a recognized news organization. In the absence of credentials, independent members of the press ______ present acceptable photo identification and proof of their association with a media outlet source.

Answer 6

Should/Shall

2-6

Question 7

Sigalert. These are restricted to unplanned actual or impending events or circumstances which may cause a delay of______ or more to a large number of motorists. When any of these conditions exits, a Sigalert should be issued.

Answer 7

30 minutes

2-10

Question 8

Traffic Advisory. These are pre-planned events or situations of a continuing nature that may impact traffic for extended periods of times. When any of these conditions exist, a traffic advisory message______ be issued.

Answer 8

should

2-10

Question 9

It is the responsibility of the ______ to designate a Public Information Officer (PIO) and an alternate.

Answer 9

Commander

3-5

Question 10

Commanders ______ make immediate notification of all significant incidents and newsworthy events, involving the Department, occurring in their commands to their appropriate sector Chief (including, but not limited to, those incidents listed in GO 100.80, Notification and Report of Emergencies and Unusual Occurrences). This is especially critical when a story may be carried by a media outlet.

Commanders ______ ensure supervisors, the Officer in Charge (OIC), PIOs, and communications centers understand the necessity of making timely notifications through the proper channels.

Answer 10

Shall/Shall

3-8

Question 11

The attire for the PIO ______ be ______.

Answer 11

shall/at the discretion of the commander

4-4

Question 12

True or False

Utilization of the PIO during an emergency will relieve the field supervisor and Area commander of the burden of answering inquiries from the news media.

Answer 12

True

4-15

Question 13

The death of a law enforcement member is both tragic and traumatic. The tragedy of the event can be softened through compassion and efficient handling. The foundation for such actions ______ be built on having a plan of action that is known and accessible to all supervisory personnel.

Answer 13

Must

4-18

Question 14

True or False

The most important thing to remember is that the media is not an adversary, rather an avenue for directly contacting the public. It is just as important to get a well-planned and accurate statement as it is to provide the media with the same.

Answer 14

True

5-4

Question 15

Unfavorable or negative news stories are going to happen from time to time. In such situations, the Office of Community Outreach and Media Relations (COMR) ___ be immediately notified of the situation.

Answer 15

Should

5-4

Question 16

Consider wearing ______ when being interviewed or at a press conference regarding negative or unfavorable news. Avoid associating negative news with the uniform of the Department. Also consider maintaining a neutral background.

Answer 16

civilian attire

5-5

Question 17

Failing to provide the media with requested information may result not only in bad relations, but also in an unfavorable story. A reporter will be left with no option but “no comment” from the CHP or “the CHP refuses to comment.” This is usually ______.

Answer 17

Unacceptable

5-6

Question 18

True or False

It is the policy of the California Highway Patrol (CHP) to cooperate with the news media in an open and honest manner and to provide information whenever allowed by current laws.

Answer 18

True

6-3

Question 19

Areas should consider drafting a CHP ______, – News Release, or press release whenever an arrest is made or there is an incident involving a high-profile individual (e.g., an actor, professional or local athlete, politician, or other celebrity of any kind).

Answer 19

288B

6-7

Question 20

Blood Alcohol Concentration test results (e.g., breathalyzer or blood test results) ______ considered public information and are therefore ______ releasable in response to requests received pursuant to the California Public Records Act (PRA) (Government Code Sections 6250, et seq.).

Answer 20

Are not/ Not

6-8

Question 21

Mug shots and other investigative photographs of suspects from previous investigations are considered criminal history information and therefore______ be released to the news media for publicity purposes only. Officials who do release these photographs are committing a misdemeanor. It should be noted, too, that the release of any photographs of a suspect for publicity purposes only is considered by the courts to be a civil rights violation and an invasion of the right to privacy. To release these photographs could subject the official and the Department to pay civil damages, both actual and punitive.

Answer 21

cannot

6-8

Question 22

True or False

Video recordings obtained during the course of employment by any CHP employee on any camera, cellular telephone, and/or recording device are considered the property of the CHP.

Answer 22

True

6-9

Question 23

Dispatch audio recordings of calls to 911, and the radio and mobile digital computer transmissions from/to dispatch and field units ______ considered public record.

Answer 23

Are

6-10

Question 24

The POBR states that an officer under investigation ______ not be required to speak with the media without the officer’s consent, the officer’s picture ______ not be given to the media, and the officer’s home address shall not be given to the media without the officer’s consent.

Answer 24

Shall/Shall

6-10

Question 25

True or False

The Department endorses the secure use of social media as a valuable means of assisting the Department and its personnel in achieving the goals of and positively promoting the Department.

Answer 25

True

7-7

Question 26

The CHP ______, Media Guide, (revised 10/2013) briefly summarizes the rights of the media under current laws and the legal requirements of release of information.

Answer 26

CHP 960

6-3