Procedure 307 Public and Media Information

Question 1

Mandates from ____ and the ______ bear upon the dissemination of information in
that they stipulate certain information agencies must divulge or protect

Answer 1

The Texas Open Records Act; Family Code

Question 2

The ______ at the scene of an incident has the following responsibilities:

1. Releasing to the media, as soon as practical, any factual information listed under Subsection .05A;
2. Designating a press area;
3. Allowing access to crime scenes as soon as practical;
4. Protecting the interests of owners or agents on whose private property a crime scene exists; and
5. Delegating the responsibility for the release of information under Subsection .05A.

Answer 2

ranking officer

Question 3

The ranking officer at the scene of an incident has the following responsibilities

Answer 3

1. Releasing to the media, as soon as practical, any factual information listed under Subsection .05A;
2. Designating a press area;
3. Allowing access to crime scenes as soon as practical;
4. Protecting the interests of owners or agents on whose private property a crime scene exists; and
5. Delegating the responsibility for the release of information under Subsection .05A.

Question 4

Who may release information listed under Subsection .05A on a police incident which does not require the
presence of a Supervisory Officer (i.e., major accidents, fires, etc.).?

Answer 4

an officer

Question 5

The Police Media Services Detail has the responsibility to coordinate media activities involving the various official
functions of the Department at scenes of major police incidents. These responsibilities include the following

Answer 5

1. Limiting media personnel to those areas which will not interfere with operational functions and access to the
   location;
2. Establishing and marking an information dissemination point or press area;
3. Arranging interviews with appropriate personnel if and when feasible; and
4. Preparing a written news release, if necessary.

Question 6

___________has the responsibility to coordinate media activities involving the various official
functions of the Department at scenes of major police incidents

Answer 6

The Police Media Services Detail

Question 7

The following information may be released regarding a police incident:

Answer 7

a. Location of the offense/incident;
b. Premises involved;
c. Time of occurrence;
d. A brief summary of the offense/incident;
e. Identification and description of a complainant (note exceptions in Section .06);
f. General description of a suspect (note exceptions in Section .06);
g. General description and/or license number of a suspect’s vehicle may be released if it does not compromise
the investigation;
h. General description of the property involved. Avoid descriptions which detail the evidence and which
hinder the investigation; and/or
i. Identification of investigating officers, without compromising an undercover operation

Question 8

The Officer delegated the responsibility of releasing information consults with a ______ before
releasing information not covered by this procedure

Answer 8

Supervisory Officer

Question 9

Information regarding internal investigations is released through the ______or a
representative designated by the Chief of Police.

Answer 9

Police Media Services Detail

Question 10

Information regarding internal investigations is released through the Police Media Services Detail or a
representative designated by ______

Answer 10

the Chief of Police.

Question 11

Information regarding Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) citywide statistics is released only through the _______

Answer 11

Police

Media Services Detail

Question 12

Information regarding the interpretation of departmental policy or procedures is released through the ___________________

Answer 12

Police

Media Services Detail or a representative designated by the Chief of Police.

Question 13

The following information in connection with police incidents is not released:

Answer 13

a. The name of a complainant or victim who is deceased or seriously injured, until a surviving relative has been
notified;
b. The name of a complainant who has been involved in any type of sexual offense;
c. The name of a suspect, until the suspect has been booked in a jail facility or formal charges have been filed;
d. Identification and description of witnesses;
e. The existence or contents of statements, oral admissions, or oral confessions made by a suspect or apprehended
person;
f. Personal opinions about the suspect and/or information on evidence;
g. Statements concerning the testimony or the truthfulness of witnesses; and
h. Photographs of any person who is a suspect or arrested person which are taken for purposes of investigatory or
criminal history record information in an ongoing investigation.

Question 14

Requests from the public or media for release of the home address or phone number of any member of the
Department are referred to the ______

Answer 14

Police Media Services Detail

Question 15

Any requests from outside the Department for release of information from departmental administrative or field files
are referred to the ______.

Answer 15

Accounting and Personnel Office

Question 16

Members of the media requesting to ride in a police vehicle to a police incident shall make the request through the _________, with final approval obtained through the Office of the Chief of Police.

Answer 16

Police

Media Services Detail

Question 17

Members of the media requesting to ride in a police vehicle to a police incident shall make the request through the Police
Media Services Detail, with final approval obtained through the _____________

Answer 17

Office of the Chief of Police

Question 18

t/f The mere presence of media personnel, the taking of pictures, or the asking of questions does
not constitute unlawful interference.

Answer 18

true

Question 19

No member of the media shall have any property seized or threatened with confiscation without

Answer 19

due process of law