HPM 90.1 Media Relations manual

Question 1

True or false? The Office of Primary Interest (OPI) for CHP media relations is the Office of Community Outreach and Media Relations (COMR).

Answer 1

True

Question 2

True or false? All members of the Department are encouraged to cooperate as needed with authorized news media in providing information to the public in which the public has a legitimate interest.

Answer 2

False

Encouraged to cooperate fully

Question 3

True or false? Personnel shall not discuss, with the news media, matters of a politically sensitive nature without approval from COMR.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

True or false? Only sergeants 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.

Answer 4

False

Only the rank of commander or above

Question 5

True or false? 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 not intended for release to the public or media.

Answer 5

True

Question 6

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

Answer 6

True

Question 7

True or false? Sigalert. These are restricted to unplanned actual or impending events or circumstances which may cause a delay of 30 minutes or more to a large number of motorists. When any of these conditions exits, a Sigalert should be issued.

Answer 7

True

Question 8

True or false? 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 should be issued.

Answer 8

True

Question 9

True or false? It is the responsibility of the commander to designate a Public Information Officer (PIO) and an alternate.

Answer 9

True

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/should

Question 11

True or false? The attire for the PIO shall be the working uniform.

Answer 11

False

The attire for the PIO shall be at the discretion of the commander.

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

Question 13

True or false? 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.

Answer 13

True

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

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

Question 16

True or false? Consider wearing civilian attire 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

True

Question 17

True or false? 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.

Answer 17

True

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

Question 19

True or false? Areas should consider drafting a CHP 288B, – 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

True

Question 20

True or false? Blood Alcohol Concentration test results (e.g., breathalyzer or blood test results) are 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

False

BAC results are not releasable.

Question 21

True or false? 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.

Answer 21

True

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

Question 23

True or false? 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.

Answer 23

True

Question 24

True or false? The POBR states that an officer under investigation should not 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.

Answer 24

False

Shall not

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

Question 26

2. Sig-Alert = unplanned or actual impending events which may cause delays of
   a. 30 minutes or more
   b. 60 minutes or more
   c. 2 hours or more
   d. 3 hours or more

Answer 26

a. 30 minutes or more

Question 27

3. Normal release of information to the media should be utilized on a ____________.
   a. Comm-net
   b. Sig-Alert
   c. CHP 288
   d. CHP 363

Answer 27

c. CHP 288

Question 28

4. Pursuant to ____________, properly identified members of the media shall not be restricted from entering newsworthy scenes.
   a. Media Relations Act (MRA)
   b. Freedom of Press Act (FPA)
   c. 409.5 PC
   d. 22 VC

Answer 28

c. 409.5 PC

Question 29

5. The media can access emergency scenes except under the following condition(s):
   a. It is unsafe for them to proceed
   b. It is a Public Assembly
   c. It is a National Defense Area
   d. It is a Command Post

Answer 29

c. It is a National Defense Area

Question 30

6. If the media is present at the scene of an officer involved shooting, the following information cannot be discussed:
   a. Soft body armor usage
   b. Officers’ home addresses
   c. Shooting information that jeopardizes involved employees
   d. All the above

Answer 30

d. All the above

Question 31

7. Which of the following is non-releasable information?
   a. Mug Shots or other investigative photographs
   b. Investigation of officer involved shooting
   c. Confession or existence of a confession
   d. All the above

Answer 31

d. All the above

Question 32

8. Which of the following is a reason to deny media access?
   a. Access would clearly interfere with emergency crews and equipment
   b. The site is a crime scene
   c. An order to disperse was given
   d. All the above

Answer 32

d. All the above

Question 33

9. Why does the media have the right to publish 911 calls and/or radio and mobile digital computer (MDC) transactions to/from Dispatch?
   a. They have a laminated media badge
   b. The department has no policy on the matter
   c. They are considered public record
   d. All the above

Answer 33

c. They are considered public record

Question 34

10. Although identity of suspect prior to arrest is non-releasable, an exception can be made if____.
    a. It will aid in the arrest of the suspect
    b. Prevent the suspect from doing it again
    c. Notify the public of his arrest
    d. All the above

Answer 34

a. It will aid in the arrest of the suspect

Question 35

11. When a juvenile is arrested, information regarding the facts of the investigation can be released except for the identity of juvenile, unless:
    a. A criminal complaint has been filed
    b. The juvenile is accompanied by a parent
    c. The juvenile sustained injury
    d. All the above

Answer 35

a. A criminal complaint has been filed

Question 36

12. Which of the following is releasable information?
    a. Time and place
    b. Use of Force on suspect
    c. Name of the arresting officer
    d. All the above
    e. A and C

Answer 36

d. All the above

Question 37

13. The following materials are subject to public record, except:
    a. Photographs of the collision scene
    b. MVARS recordings
    c. Radio and mobile digital computer communications to/from Dispatch
    d. Investigative reports

Answer 37

d. Investigative reports

Question 38

14. A national defense area is often established at a_________________
    a. Hazmat scene involving railroad equipment
    b. Hazmat scene involving rocket fuel for NASA
    c. Site of an aircraft crash established by the FAA
    d. None of the above

Answer 38

c. Site of an aircraft crash established by the FAA

Question 39

15. Traffic management centers are staffed by______________
    a. CHP dispatchers
    b. CHP LT command
    c. CHP officers and 1 Sgt
    d. CHP officers

Answer 39

d. CHP officers