Public information Flashcards
Who should all media inquiries be directed to in general?
PIO or the Patrol Duty Commander
What should officers base their released information on?
Fact
What should requests for general department information be forwarded to?
PIO for a response
Who should confer with the appropriate investigative unit before releasing information about an ongoing criminal investigation?
PIO or the Patrol Duty Commander
When should PIO coordinate the release of information during special events, emergency situations, or critical incidents?
With the Incident Commander or designee
When can on-camera interviews be provided to media representatives in Special Victims Section cases?
If approved by the Executive Officer or designee of the Chief of Police
Who should review formal news releases before being distributed by a PIO?
Appropriate unit supervisor(s) and the Executive Officer or other designee of the Chief of Police
What should officers in uniform and outdoors on a scene of an incident do during on-camera interviews?
Wear the currently approved department hat
When conducting an on-camera interview, what items should officers not wear?
Sunglasses, except glasses with transitional lenses
Who must approve on-camera interviews involving Special Victims Section cases?
Executive Officer or other designee of the Chief of Police
How should a detective notify Public Information Office about submitting a case for LexIDme consideration?
By sending an email to PolicePIO@lexingtonpolice.ky.gov with the incident case number.
What is the detective’s responsibility before submitting a case to LexIDme?
To obtain and document consent from a victim or complainant for placing their media on LexIDme.
What happens to incoming email tips on LexIDme from the public?
They are automatically routed to the Public Information Office and the submitting detective.
When should the detective notify the Public Information Office about the status of a tip received on LexIDme?
Promptly after investigating the tip, whether good or bad, and upon identifying a suspect.
Under what circumstances can a case be removed from LexIDme?
If a suspect is identified, at the request of the submitting detective, after 3 months with no tip, statute of limitations expired, or at discretion.
What is required to track LexIDme-related statistics?
To assess the program’s efficacy.
Who should officers and PIOs consult with before releasing information?
Their supervisor
How can information be released to the public?
Through formal news release, social media, Crime Stoppers, or LexIDme program
When can the Crime Stoppers Coordinator release information without notifying the PIO?
When re-releasing previously released information
What must be done before releasing information received from other law enforcement agencies?
Approval must be obtained
In incidents with other public service agencies, who coordinates information release to the media?
The agency with primary jurisdiction
What should be done with media inquiries related to case prosecution?
They should be referred to the appropriate prosecutor’s office
What should employees avoid releasing to avoid prejudicing an accused person’s right to a fair trial?
Sensitive and prejudicial information
When can an adult suspect’s name and charges be released?
When there is an active warrant or an arrest has been made
