Media policy Flashcards
What are the key police media messages.
Police are in your community working hard to address crime and the fear of crime
Crime prevention is our priority
Police need community help to drive down crime
Crime is coming down
Police encourage personal responsibility
Police respect people’s rights but will promptly act when the law is broken
Who can comment on policy and procedure in the media
COP, DCOP and Assistant Commissioner, corporate spokes person.
What can you not criticise in the media
Existing or proposed police or govt policy/legislation
Parliament
A court decision
Any other govt department
Who can comment on crime stats in the media
BOSCAR, Bureau of crime statistics and research
What is the process for media ride alongs.
Contact police media unit.
They must sign indemnity and media agreement.
If the media do a ride along, what must you ensure does not happen.
Compromise a police investigation or operation
Disclose procedures or methodology
ID victims of crime
Cause distress to victims and others
Jeopardise prosecution of offenders
Cause community unrest
Fail to comply with the safe driver policy
When making a media statement about a critical incident or police complaint what can you say:
Describe very basic facts if the situation
Adds broad operational matters ie: an investigation is under way
Express concerns for all involved
Respond to community concerns.
Any statement must not prejudge the investigation by providing support for the officers innocence / guilt/ actions or cause of the incident.
What can you say at a media conference when a person is in custody
They are in custody and where Being interviewed Age, sex, occupation and suburb they live Where and when arrested Who's investigating.
What can you say at a media conference when a person is in custody and charged
Include Charges laid Court they will appear Court date Bail refused or not Allegation before the court
What can you not say during a media interview about the arrest of a POI.
Refer to psychological State of the POI prior convictions or crim record Lay blame or belittle some one Suggest other offences by POI Identify children sex crime vict Suggest POI made admissions Reveal refusal to submit to examination/ tests Details of forensic procedures or line up
Who can authorise a media release about the charging of a police officer
Region commander
Does the media have the right for access to the fact sheet
Section 314 of the criminal procedures act gives the media the right to access court held documents. They must make application to the court registrar no later than 2 days after court is finalised.
If the fact sheet has not been filed but it has been read allowed in open court of handed to the magistrate the prosecutor may Kane it available to ensure accurate reporting unless there is good reason not to.
Images relating to some offences can be released onto social media, what are they.
Summary or table 2 offences.
Must be authorised by insp or above
Can’t show commission of the offence
Can not be of a child.
If you wish to release photos of an offence or video what is the process.
Must be coordinated through police media unit after approval from office of the general counsel, director public affairs or COP/DCOP
When at a crime scene what are your responsibilities in relation to the media.
For prolonged matters make contact with the media unit and have a liaison officer deployed to the scene.
Set aside an area with a view to the crime scene for the media.
Advise media of any sensitive reporting conditions ie: emotional state of the POI, any demands, type/ deployment of police.
