Osceola County Sheriff's Office Public Information

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Questions and Answers

In the context of Osceola County Sheriff's Office policy 206.0, under what specific conditions is the Communications Section permitted to disclose the classification of law, fire, or medical radio calls, and what implications does this have on transparency versus operational security?

When a formal request is submitted by the media, and the Communications Manager determines that the public interest outweighs the need to protect the information's sensitivity.
When explicitly authorized by the Sheriff or his designee, provided the disclosure does not compromise active investigations or endanger public safety, balancing transparency with operational needs.
Communications is never permitted to disclose the classification of law, fire, medical, or combined radio calls. (correct)
When the information is requested by another public safety agency, ensuring inter-agency cooperation while maintaining control over sensitive details that could impact ongoing operations.

According to Osceola County Sheriff's Office policy, what delineates the conditions under which 'investigative/intelligence information' may be disclosed to the news media, and what are the ethical and legal considerations underpinning these stipulations?

Disclosure requires explicit authorization from the State Attorney's Office to prevent any potential compromise of ongoing investigations or violations of individual rights, thereby upholding both legal and ethical standards.
Disclosure is contingent upon a court order, which ensures an independent judicial review to balance public interest with the necessities of law enforcement and individual privacy.
Disclosure is permissible after consulting with and obtaining concurrence from individuals responsible for the investigation, or their supervisors, ensuring responsible dissemination within the bounds of legal and ethical requirements. (correct)
Disclosure is solely at the discretion of the Public and Media Relations Supervisor, who weighs the public's right to know against the potential harm to the investigation, ensuring compliance with ethical obligations.

Consider a scenario where a local journalist requests access to the body-worn camera footage of a deputy involved in a high-profile use-of-force incident that sparked community outrage. According to Osceola County Sheriff's Office policy 206.0 and referencing policy 479.0, what specific procedural steps and legal considerations must the Sheriff's Office navigate before releasing the footage, and what potential liabilities could arise from non-compliance?

The Sheriff's Office must conduct an internal review to determine if the footage contains confidential or exempt information, obtain consent from all parties depicted in the footage, and redact any sensitive material before releasing it to the journalist, in compliance with policy 479.0 and F.S.S. 119. (correct)
The Sheriff's Office should immediately release the footage to the journalist to promote transparency and accountability, as community interest outweighs privacy concerns in high-profile cases, provided that a disclaimer is issued regarding ongoing investigations.
The Sheriff's Office must deny the request due to the sensitive nature of body-worn camera footage, citing privacy concerns and the potential to compromise ongoing investigations, unless a court order mandates its release.
The Sheriff's Office must refer the journalist to the State Attorney's Office, as they have jurisdiction over criminal investigations and can determine whether releasing the footage would prejudice any potential legal proceedings, ensuring compliance with legal standards.

In the context of coordinating media requests for agency personnel interviews, which considerations should be in place to ensure operational security?

<p>Media requests for interviews should be routed through the Sheriff's Public and Media Relations Supervisor to ensure that sensitive information is not disclosed inadvertently and to maintain consistency in messaging. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Considering the Osceola County Sheriff's Office policy on releasing information, analyze the implications of disclosing the 'existence, contents of, or failure to make any confession, admission, or statement by a defendant' vis-à-vis the defendant's constitutional rights.

<p>Such disclosure may substantially impinge upon a defendant's constitutional rights, potentially leading to pre-trial publicity that could prejudice potential jurors, the defendant, and violating their right to a fair trial. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Purpose of Public Information Policy

Addresses what is public information and establishes procedures for releases, providing information, and access to information by the media or general public.

Confidential Information

Information obtained by the Osceola County Sheriff's Office that is protected by state and/or federal law that the agency has an affirmative duty not to disclose and/or release.

Media Release

A synopsis of an incident which is given to the news media for public information.

Disclosure of Investigative/Intelligence Information

Disclosure of active criminal investigative or intelligence information to the media shall be made only after consultation with and concurrence of individuals responsible for the investigation, or their supervisors.

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Releasable Documents

Documents such as incident reports, supplementary reports, and arrest reports, are releasable to the news media upon request, after redaction of confidential and/or exempt information.

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Study Notes

This document outlines the Osceola County Sheriff's Office policy and procedures regarding public information.
The policy establishes procedures for releasing information and providing access to information by the media or general public.
It references Florida Public Records Law F.S.S. 119, mandating the Sheriff's Office to provide information and reports that do not hinder criminal investigations, reveal protected identities, or affect crime victims.

Definitions

Competent Authority includes positions such as the Sheriff, Chief Deputy, Major, Public and Media Relations Supervisor, General Counsel, Digital Public Records Specialist, and Division Captains.
Confidential Information is data obtained by the Osceola County Sheriff's Office protected by state and/or federal law that the agency has a duty not to disclose.
Criminal Intelligence Information is data regarding an identifiable person or group collected by a criminal justice agency to anticipate, prevent, or monitor possible criminal activity.
Criminal Investigative Information is data regarding an identifiable person, group, or crime compiled during a criminal investigation, including information from laboratory tests, reports, or surveillance.
Exempt Information is data obtained by the Osceola County Sheriff's Office that need not be disclosed under Florida Public Records Law F.S.S. 119 and/or Federal Law.
Florida Public Records include documents, papers, letters, maps, books, tapes, photographs, films, sound recordings, data processing software, or other material related to official business.
Media Release is a synopsis of an incident given to the news media for public information.
News Media are working members of newspapers, radio, or television, including journalists, photographers, camerapersons, videographers, and technicians.

Procedures

Agency members authorized to release information include the Sheriff, Chief Deputy, Majors, General Counsel, Digital Public Records Specialist, Public and Media Relations Supervisor/designee, Division Captains, Lieutenants with media training, and others designated by the Sheriff.
Disclosure of investigative/intelligence information requires consultation with those responsible for the investigation or their supervisors and is limited to cases where the agency has jurisdiction
For ongoing criminal investigations, the Public and Media Relations Supervisor must be notified.

Public and Media Relations Office Responsibilities

Assist news media representatives at news or major incident scenes.
Manage on-call responses to the news media.
Prepare and distribute agency media releases, including social media.
Arrange for and assist at news conferences.
Coordinate and authorize the release of information about victims, witnesses, suspects, and individuals arrested.
Assist during agency crisis situations.
Coordinate and authorize the release of information concerning confidential investigations and operations according to F.S.S.
Develop procedures for the release of information when another public service agency is involved.
Coordinate media requests for agency personnel interviews.

Releasable Information

Classification of the charged crime
Time, date, location, and nature of a reported crime and/or arrest.
Name, sex, age, and address of a person arrested or the victim, except as protected by law.
Name, age, sex, race, address, and jail booking photograph of an adult charged with a crime.
Name, age, sex, race, address, and jail booking photograph of a Juvenile charged with a felony
Name, age, sex, race, address, and jail booking photograph of a Juvenile charged with a misdemeanor with at least three prior misdemeanor convictions
Name, age, sex, race, address, and jail booking photograph of a Juvenile charged with a traffic violation/arrest.

Non-Releasable Information

Criminal intelligence or investigative information, whether active or not, as outlined in Florida Public Records Law F.S.S. 119.
Information that would identify victims of sexual offenses, lewd acts, or child abuse.
Identity of a suspect in a child abuse case without probable cause
Identity, name, age, race, sex, or address of most juveniles, with noted exceptions.
Identity of critically injured or deceased persons before next of kin notification, unless a division captain makes an exception
Cause of death until determined by the Medical Examiner.
Information that could hinder a criminal investigation or the identity/location of an unarrested suspect
Details of investigative procedures.
Specifics of modus operandi (MO), unverified information, unchecked leads, or information that may cause a suspect to flee.
Contents of or failure to make a confession.
Identity, testimony, or comments on the character/credibility of a prospective witness.
Opinions on the prior criminal record, character, reputation, guilt/innocence of a defendant.
Protected personal information of agency members.
Confidential information from another law enforcement agency.

Documents that can be released upon request w/ redactions

Incident reports, supplementary reports, and arrest reports, with confidential and/or exempt information redacted
Closed Internal Affairs investigations
Agency files or documents not part of an active criminal investigation.

Media Releases

The Public and Media Relations Supervisor creates periodic news releases based on information from involved members.
In their absence, a designee of the Sheriff handles releases.
Press releases are numbered sequentially each year, starting in January.
Distributed at press briefings, by mail, FAX, email, social media, or other methods.
News conferences may be scheduled by the Sheriff or designee.

Media Access to Incident Scenes

Active news media representatives may be allowed closer access at incident scenes if it doesn't interfere with the investigation or traffic flow.
Access may be restricted for safety or investigative reasons.
Direct access to crime scenes is allowed only after evidence processing and on-site investigation completion, with exceptions made by the Sheriff, designee, or incident commander after consulting the Public and Media Relations Supervisor.
The incident commander designates an initial news media briefing area for hostage/barricade situations.
The incident commander and the Public and Media Relations Supervisor should arrange access for media during major fires, disasters, or catastrophic events.

Speeches/Interviews/Presentations

Agency members cannot make presentations or speeches about agency policies/activities without prior Sheriff authorization.
Requests for speeches, interviews, or presentations should be directed to the Public and Media Relations Supervisor or Administrative Bureau Major.

Release of Information by Communications

Communication Section supervisors may confirm the date/time a call was received, the occurrence/type of incident, and the incident location.
The classification of law, fire, medical, or combined radio calls will not be disclosed
Inquiries for law calls or mixed law/fire calls are referred to the Sheriff's Public and Media Relations Supervisor or designee.
Media requests about fire radio calls are directed to the County Public Information Officer.

Release of Information to the Public

Citizens requesting information pertaining to law call activity not in progress are referred to the Osceola County Sheriff's Office Public Records/Validation Unit during normal business hours.
Requests pertaining to fire/medical call activity not in progress are referred to the Osceola County Fire Rescue Administration.
Citizens requesting information regarding in-progress situations in their area are provided only necessary information to ensure their safety.
Employee phone numbers and/or addresses can be released to other employees by the on-duty supervisor/acting shift leader after verification.

Audio Recordings

Audio recordings may be released per F.S.S. 119 and this policy.
Playback requires the on-duty Communications supervisor's approval, unless immediate playback is necessary.
The Communications Manager or above may authorize the release after a request.
Sergeants and above may request recordings in writing for training/disciplinary purposes.
Non-job-related audio recording requests must be submitted by the member via a public record's request when not on duty.