SOP 119.00 Sheriff's Office Media Cooperation

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Questions and Answers

What is the protocol for handling news media complaints initiated by Sheriff's Office personnel?

The complaint is ignored and not addressed

A documented inter-office memorandum is forwarded to the Sheriff (correct)

A lawsuit is filed against the news media organization

A verbal warning is given to the news media representative

Who is responsible for referring news media requests for information to?

Any available supervisor

The arresting or investigating deputy

The Sheriff personally

The Public Affairs Office (correct)

What is the reason for denying news media requests for information?

To protect the Sheriff's Office from negative publicity

To avoid giving information that could hinder an investigation

Privacy rights, safety of a defendant, witness, or victim, or other legal factors (correct)

To preserve evidence for a future trial

What should members of the Sheriff's Office who lack confirmed knowledge of the facts do when approached by news media?

Refer the inquiry to the Public Affairs Office Signup and view all the answers

Who may refer complaints to the Professional Standards Section, Legal Division, or other component for investigation and recommendation?

Only the Sheriff Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of documenting news media complaints in an inter-office memorandum?

To forward the complaint to the Sheriff for review Signup and view all the answers

Who is responsible for resolving problems that arise between news media representatives and members of the Sheriff's Office?

The Deputy in charge at the incident scene, a supervisor, or the Public Affairs Officer Signup and view all the answers

Why should arresting or investigating deputies avoid making statements to the news media?

To avoid revealing information that would normally be given in a deposition or at trial Signup and view all the answers

What type of information should not be disclosed to the public?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

Who is responsible for notifying the Public Information Office in the event of a serious incident?

The supervisor of the investigating district/division Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the Public Information Office?

To gather and disseminate information to news media representatives Signup and view all the answers

Under what circumstances can news media representatives take photographs or videos on private property?

With prior permission from the property owner Signup and view all the answers

Who can release details of an administrative investigation to the news media?

The Sheriff or designee Signup and view all the answers

When can news media representatives access the scene of an incident?

Only after all known evidence has been processed and the on-site investigation has been completed Signup and view all the answers

What type of information should be protected to prevent a suspect from fleeing or avoiding apprehension?

Information that may cause a suspect to flee or avoid apprehension Signup and view all the answers

Who is responsible for taking protective measures to prevent the photographing or televising of a body?

Deputies at the scene Signup and view all the answers

When can the identity of a victim or witness be disclosed to the public?

Only if it would not place the individual in clear personal danger Signup and view all the answers

What type of incidents require notification of the Public Information Office?

Serious injury or death involving a deputy Signup and view all the answers

What determines the guidelines and control the release of information in federally controlled investigations?

The federal agency involved Signup and view all the answers

What type of information can be released to the media regarding an incident?

General type or suspected nature of an incident Signup and view all the answers

What information is not to be released to the media regarding a criminal case?

Investigative information and information of an evidentiary nature Signup and view all the answers

Who is responsible for releasing information to the media regarding an arrest?

The public information officer Signup and view all the answers

What information is not to be released to the media regarding a suspect prior to arrest?

Identity or location of the suspect Signup and view all the answers

What information is to be released to the media regarding an arrest?

Identity of the investigating and arresting deputy Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of releasing information to the media regarding an investigation?

To assist in locating and apprehending a suspect Signup and view all the answers

What type of information is exempt from disclosure pursuant to Florida or Federal Law?

Any other information deemed confidential Signup and view all the answers

What information is to be released to the media regarding a crime victim?

None of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of not releasing certain information to the media?

To protect the confidentiality of the investigation Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

News Release and Media Cooperation

News Media complaints initiated by Sheriff's Office personnel shall be documented in an inter-office memorandum and forwarded to the Sheriff.
If the Sheriff concurs, a letter shall be sent to the individual's employer citing the specific violation.
Resolutions between the Sheriff's Office and the News Media representatives will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Problems with News Media Representatives

Problems arising between News Media representatives and members of the Sheriff's Office shall be referred to the deputy in charge, a supervisor, and/or the Public Affairs Officer, or designee.

Withholding Information

When News Media requests for information are denied, the denial shall be based on:
- Privacy rights
- Safety of a defendant, witness, or victim
- Other legal factors

Arresting or Investigating Deputies

Deputies who are likely to be primary prosecution witnesses in a criminal case shall avoid making statements to the News Media about information that would normally be given in a deposition or at trial.

Referring Inquiries

Any member of the Sheriff's Office who does not have confirmed knowledge of the facts shall assist the News Media by referring the inquiry to the Public Affairs Office, providing the name and phone number of the individual to be contacted.

Media Requests for Investigative Information

Media requests for investigative information shall be referred to:
- Public Affairs Office personnel
- The supervisor in charge of the investigation
- Their designee

Federally Controlled Investigations

In federally controlled investigations, the federal agency involved will determine guidelines and control the release of information, if any.

Release of Investigative Information to Media

The following investigative information may be released to the media:
- General type or suspected nature of an incident
- General location, date, and time
- Injuries sustained, damages, and a description of how the incident occurred
- Amount and type of property taken
- Identity and general address of certain victims
- Name, age, address, and booking photographs of adults charged with a crime
- Names, addresses, and booking photographs of juveniles who have been taken into custody for a felony offense
- Criminal records of adults and Hillsborough County criminal records of juveniles charged with a felony
- Requests for aid in locating evidence, a complainant, or a suspect

Investigative Information Not to be Released to Media

The following investigative information shall not be released to the media:
- Investigative techniques
- Names, photographs, or video recordings of undercover or special investigation deputies/detectives
- Identity of any victim of a crime or relatives of crime victims
- Confidential juvenile arrest information related to misdemeanor charges
- Identity of any critically injured or deceased person prior to notification of next of kin
- Specific cause of death until determined by the Medical Examiner
- Investigative information and information of an evidentiary nature regarding a criminal case
- Contents of suicide notes
- Unofficial statements concerning Sheriff's Office personnel or internal affairs matters
- Home address and phone numbers of members of the Sheriff's Office
- Valuables or cash overlooked by crime perpetrators
- Amount of money taken in a robbery or embezzlement of a financial institution or savings and loan association

Arrest Information to be Released

The following arrest information may be released to the media:
- Accused's name, age, description, residence, employment, and marital status
- Substance or text of the charge as contained in an affidavit, warrant, indictment, or information
- Identity of the investigating and arresting deputy and the length of the investigation
- Circumstances immediately surrounding the arrest
- Amount of bond set
- Criminal Report Affidavits shall be open to media inspection

Arrest Information Not to be Released

The following arrest information shall not be released to the media:
- Identity or location of any suspect prior to arrest
- Results of any investigative procedure
- Information which, if prematurely disclosed, would significantly interfere with an investigation or apprehension
- Identity of a prospective witness
- Identity of a victim/witness if such disclosure would prejudice an investigation to any significant degree

Direct Access by Media Personnel

Direct access by media personnel shall be allowed only after all known evidence has been processed and the on-site investigation has been completed.

Photography and Videotaping

News Media must obtain permission from owners or their representatives when photographs, films, or video tape are to be taken on private property.
In public places, News Media representatives shall be allowed to freely photograph, film, or videotape at the scene of any incident so long as their activity does not interfere with an investigation.

Administrative Investigations

Sensitive information and the identity of deputies involved in an administrative investigation shall not be disclosed except by express permission of the Sheriff, or designee.
The release of administrative investigations shall conform to Florida Law.
Details of an administrative investigation may be released to the News Media only after the case has been closed.
Administrative investigations are to be released to the media only by the Sheriff, or designee, or a Professional Standards Section supervisor, or a Public Affairs Officer.

Notification of Public Information Office

The Public Information Office shall be notified in the following situations:
- Serious injury or death involving or caused by a deputy
- Jail incidents resulting in serious injury or other jail problems that may be of public interest
- Escaped prisoner
- Hostage/barricade situations
- Explosive ordnance (major incidents involving explosive violence)
- Disaster situations
- Significant events of public interest, including but not limited to homicide, suicide, serious bodily injury, violent crimes, etc.

Public Information Office Responsibilities

The Public Information Office shall be responsible for information gathering, preparation, and dissemination to news media representatives during times of extreme emergencies such as hurricanes or other potential catastrophic events.
The Public Information Office shall be notified in a timely fashion by the supervisor of the investigating district/division when a major crime or catastrophic events require on-site liaison and coordination for the dissemination of information to news media representatives.

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Description

This quiz covers the procedures for handling news media complaints initiated by Sheriff's Office personnel, including documentation and resolution processes.