HPM 90.1 Media Relations Manual Flashcards
The Office of Primary Interest (OPI) for CHP media relations is the ____
Office of Community Outreach and Media Relations (COMR).
All members of the Department are encouraged to cooperate fully with authorized news media in providing information to the public in which the public has a legitimate interest.
TRUE
Personnel ____ discuss, with the news media, matters of a politically sensitive nature without approval from COMR.
shall not
Only ____ or above shall 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.
Commander
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 ____. They are not intended for release to the public or media.
Department’s Intranet
Independent journalists or photographers should 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.
shall
Sigalert. These are restricted to unplanned actual or impending events or circumstances which may cause a delay of _____. When any of these conditions exits, a Sigalert should be issued.
30 minutes or more to a large number of motorists
Traffic Advisory. These are _____ 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 should be issued.
pre-planned events
It is the responsibility of the commander to designate a Public Information Officer (PIO) and an alternate.
TRUE
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 SHALL ensure supervisors, the Officer in Charge (OIC), PIOs, and communications centers understand the necessity of making timely notifications through the proper channels.
SHALL
The attire for the PIO shall be the ______.
discretion of the commander
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.
TRUE
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 must be built on having a plan of action that is known and accessible to all supervisory personnel.
TRUE
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.
TRUE
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.
SHOULD
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.
civilian attire
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 unacceptable.
TRUE
It is the policy of the California Highway Patrol (CHP) to_____ with the news media in an open and honest manner and to provide information whenever allowed by current laws.
cooperate
Areas should consider drafting a _____ 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).
CHP 288B, – News Release, or press release
Blood Alcohol Concentration test results (e.g., breathalyzer or blood test results) ____ considered public information and are therefore not releasable in response to requests received pursuant to the California Public Records Act (PRA) (Government Code Sections 6250, et seq.).
ARE NOT
Mug shots and other investigative photographs of suspects from previous investigations are considered criminal history information and therefore cannot 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.
TRUE
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.
Dispatch audio recordings of calls to 911, and the radio and mobile digital computer transmissions from/to dispatch and field units are considered _______.
public record
The POBR states that an officer under investigation _________ be required to speak with the media without the officer’s consent, the officer’s picture shall not be given to the media, and the officer’s home address shall not be given to the media without the officer’s consent.
shall not
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.
TRUE
