The Police and the Community Chapter 11 FORMING PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE MEDIA

1
The Police and the Community Chapter
11FORMINGPARTNERSHIPS WITH THE MEDIA
2
Objectives

• The common goal of the media and the police
• Why the police-media relationship is symbiotic
• What amendment protects freedom of the press
• What amendment guides police with their
  relationship with the media
• What are legitimate reasons for not giving
  information to the press

3
Objectives Cont.

• What off the record really means
• How to enhance the safety of the media during
  explosive situations
• Whether conflict between the police and the media
  must be dysfunctional
• If it is justifiable to lie to the media
• Why reporters may foul up stories
• How officers can improve relations with the media
• Why partnerships with the police and the media
  are essential for community policing

4
Introduction

• The police and members of the media share the
  common goal of serving the public. They also rely
  heavily on each other but there is a conflict
  with the 1st amendment of free press and the 6th
  amendment to guarantee a suspect the right to a
  fair trial. Police need to understand the general
  protocols for media relations and have good
  department policy in place for dealing with the
  media. Police need to know how to be professional
  when interviewed and all rules of fairness

5
MUTUAL RELIANCE OF THE POLICE AND THE MEDIA

• POLICE DEPARTMENTS AND INDIVIDUAL OFFICERS NEED
  THE MEDIA
• THE PRESS CAN SHAPE THE PUBLIC OPINION ABOUT
  THEIR IMAGE
• GARNER EXPLAINS THE MUTUAL DEPENDENCY (SYMBIOTIC)
• THE NEWS BUSINESS NEEDS LAW ENFORCEMENT AS ITS
  LARGEST SINGLE SOURCE OF NEWS THAT READERS,
  VIEWERS, AND LISTENERS WANT TO KNOW ABOUT
• LAW ENFORCEMENT NEEDS THE ACCESS TO THE PUBLIC
  THAT THE PRESS CAN PROVIDE
• OFFICERS SHOULD BE AWARE OF WHAT RIGHTS THE
  MEDIA HAS AND THEIR MISSION, AND WHY LAW
  ENFORCEMENT DOESNT ALWAYS APPEAR IN A POSITIVE
  LIGHT IN THE MEDIA

6
THE FIRST AMENDMENT AND FREEDOM OF THE PRESS

• THE FIRST AMENDMENT STATES THAT CONGRESS SHALL
  MAKE NO LAWABRIDGING THE FREEDOM OF SPEECH OR OF
  THE PRESS
• THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE U.S. CONSTITUTION
  GUARANTEES THE PUBLICS THE RIGHT TO KNOW, THAT
  IS, FREEDOM OF THE PRESS
• ACCORDING TO THE FREEDOM FORUM, FREEDOM OF THE
  PRESS WAS FIRST MENTIONED BY JAMES MADISON WHO
  SUPPORTED THE BILL OF RIGHTS AND FELT IT WAS
  NECESSARY TO THE HEALTH OF A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY
• THE PUBLICS RIGHT TO KNOW IS SO IMPORTANT THAT
  THE MEDIA OPERATE WITHOUT CENSORSHIP, BUT ARE
  SUBJECT TO LEGAL ACTION IF THEY PUBLISH UNTRUTHS

7
FIRST AMENDMENT AND FREEDOM OF THE PRESS CONT..

• POLICE BEAT REPORTERS ARE OFTEN EAGER AND
  AGGRESSIVE IN CARRYING OUT THEIR DUTY TO INFORM
  THE PUBLIC
• THE POLICE BEAT IS CONSIDERED A PRESTIGIOUS
  ASSIGNMENT BY MANY NEWSPAPERS AND TELEVISION
  STATIONS
• COVERAGE OF CRIME EVENTS ALSO DRAWS INCREASED
  VIEWERSHIP AND READERSHIP, PROMPTING MANY NEWS
  ORGANIZATIONS TO GIVE TOP BILLING TO SUCH
  STORIES

8
Ist Amendment Cont..

• MANY MEDIA MARKETS ARE UNOFFICIALLY GUIDED BY THE
  AXIOM IF IT BLEEDS, IT LEADS

9
THE MEDIA AND THE PUBLICS FEAR OF CRIME

• THE PUBLICS RISING FEAR OF CRIME, DESPITE
  REPORTS THE CRIME RATE IS DECREASING, HAS LEAD TO
  MUCH SCRUTINY OF THE MEDIA AND THEIR PRACTICES
• A ONE-DAY SURVEY OF LOCAL T.V. NEWS SHOWS IN 52
  METROPOLITAN AREAS REVEALED (AIR TIME)
• CRIME-RELATED STORIES WAS 26.9 PERCENT
• DISASTER NEWS TOPICS, A DISTANT SECOND AT 12.2
  PERCENT
• HEALTH AND GOVERNMENT STORIES 10.1 PERCENT AND
  8.7 PERCENT OF AIR TIME
• NEWS TOPICS RELATED TO ECONOMICS 8.5 PERCENT
• EDUCATION 3.6 PERCENT
• CHILDREN 2.3 PERCENT
• PEACE 0.5 PERCENT

10
CONT MEDIA AND PUBLICS FEAR OF CRIME

• THE RECENT MEDIA FOCUS ON VIOLENCE IN SCHOOLS HAS
  ALSO DRAWN WIDESPEAD CRITICISM
• RELATIVE INFREQUENCY OF VIOLENT CRIME IN OUR
  SOCIETY ACTUALLY INCREASES ITS NEWSWORTHINESS
  AND THE AMOUNT OF MEDIA COVERAGE IT RECEIVES
• ACCORDING TO RESEARCHERS, POLITICAL LEADERS AND
  LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS USE THE MEDIA TO SERVE
  PROPOGANDA FUNCTIONS IN THE STATES IDEOLOGICAL
  MACHINERY AND TO PROMOTE THEIR LAW-AND-ORDER
  CRIME CONTROL AGENDAS
• THE MEDIA ALSO PLAY A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN HOW THE
  PUBLIC VIEWS THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM,
  INCLUDING LAW ENFORCEMENT

11
THE MEDIA AND THE POLICE IMAGE

• THE PUBLICS IMAGE OF THE POLICE IS SHAPED
  LARGELY BY WHAT THEY SEE ON T.V. AND MOST OF WHAT
  THEY SEE IS FICTIONAL
• A STUDY OF NATIONAL, BIG CITY AND SMALL TOWN T.V.
  NEWSCASTS REVEALED
• ALL LEVELS OF NEWSCASTS IN THE SAMPLE AIRED MORE
  POSITIVE THAN NEGATIVE STORIES ABOUT THE POLICE,
  THERE WAS A DIFFERENCE IN DEGREE
• A SECOND FINDING IS THAT T.V. NEWS TENDS TO
  PORTRAY THE POLICE AS CRIME FIGHTERS, NATIONAL
  (84) AND BIG CITY (72) AND SMALL TOWN (63)

12
Police Image Cont..

• THE DEPICTION OF POLICE ON T.V. NEWS INFLUENCES
  HOW VIEWERS JUDGE THE EFFECTIVENESS AND INTEGRITY
  OF THE LOCAL POLICE

13
THE MEDIAS IMPACT ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE

• THE POWER OF THE MEDIA AND THEIR COVERAGE CAN
  INFLUENCE THE OPERATIONS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE
  SYSTEM AND EVEN THE DISPOSITION OF INDIVIDUAL
  CASES
• THE IMPACT OF A HIGHLY PUBLICIZED CASE HAVING A
  RIPPLING EFFECT THAT SPREADS THROUGHOUT THE
  JUDICIAL SYSTEM AND EFFECTS THE ENTIRE PROCESS IS
  REFERRED TO AS THE NEWS MEDIA ECHO EFFECT
• DEFENDANTS IN A SIMILAR CRIME CATEGORY MAY BE
  TREATED DIFFERENTLY WITHIN THE CRJ SYSTEM HAD
  SUCH A HIGH PROFILE CASE NOT PRECEDED THEIRS
• ECHO-EFFECTS ARE A MEDIA-INDUCED RECONSTRUCTION
  OF REALITY CONCERNING THE IMPORTANCE OF A SET OF
  CASES

14
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT

• FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA) GOVERNS WHAT
  POLICE CAN AND CANNOT DISCLOSE
• FOIA ESTABLISHES A PRESUMPTION THAT RECORDS IN
  THE POSSESSION OF AGENCIES AND DEPARTMENTS OF THE
  EXECUTIVE BRANCH OF THE U.S. GOVERNMENT ARE
  ACCESSIBLE TO THE PEOPLE
• THE NEED TO KNOW STANDARD HAS BEEN REPLACED BY
  THE RIGHT TO KNOW DOCTRINE
• LAWS SUCH AS THE PUBLIC RECORD LAWS ARE ENACTED
  TO PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF CITIZENS UNDER SUSPICION
  OF BREAKING THE LAW, AS GUARANTEED BY THE SIXTH
  AMENDMENT

15
Freedom of Information Act Cont..

• The media cannot go to a fortune teller for their
  information
• The FOIA clearly states what police can release
  and what they cannot and what is discretionary

16
THE SIXTH AMENDMENT, SUSPECTS RIGHTS AND
CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS

• THE SIXTH AMENDMENT ESTABLISHES THAT IN ALL
  CRIMINAL PROSECUTIONS, THE ACCUSED SHALL ENJOY
  THE RIGHT TO A SPEEDY AND PUBLIC TRIAL
• THE SIXTH AMENDMENT GUARANTEES SUSPECTS THE RIGHT
  TO A FAIR TRIAL AND AN IMPARTIAL JURY
• LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS OFTEN TRY TO PROTECT
  INFORMATION THEY DEEM IMPERATIVE TO KEEP OUT OF
  THE MEDIA, AND MAY THEREFORE BE AT ODDS WITH
  REPORTERS

17
6th Amendment Continued

• SUCH CONFLICTS ARISE WHEN POLICE TRY TO PREVENT
  PUBLIC DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION THAT MAY TIP OFF
  A CRIMINAL OF IMPENDING ARREST
• THE PARTIES CONFLICTING INTERESTS MAY RESULT IN
  ANTAGONISM

18
VICTIM PRIVACY RIGHTS

• THE FOIA PROTECTS THE RIGHTS OF SOME PEOPLE SUCH
  AS SEX CRIME VICTIMS
• VICTIMS MAY EASILY BE CAUGHT OFF GUARD BY
  AGGRESSIVE MEDIA PERSONNEL AND MAY UNWITTINGLY
  PUT THEMSELVES OR THE INVESTIGATION AT RISK BY
  AGREEING TO AN INTERVIEW
• TO HELP VICTIMS AND PROTECT WITNESS RIGHTS, AND
  SAFEGUARD THE INVESTIGATION, DEPARTMENTS HAVE
  BEGUN DISTRIBUTING MEDIA RELATIONS ADVISORY CARDS
• THE BACK OF THE CARDS GIVES THE PHONE NUMBER FOR
  THE PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER AND THE VICTIM
  SERVICES SECTION
• SUCH CARDS, HOWEVER, HAVE CAUSED CONCERN AMONG
  SOME JOURNALISTS WHO CONTEND THE ADVISORIES WILL
  INTERFERE WITH NEWS GATHERING

19
CONFLICT BETWEEN THE MEDIA AND POLICE

• THE PRESS AND THE POLICE ARE TWO POWERFUL FORCES
  IN OUR SOCIETY THAT DEPEND ON ONE ANOTHER BUT ARE
  OFTEN HOSTILE TOWARD AND MISTRUST EACH OTHER
• LAW ENFORCEMENT DESCRIBED THE MEDIA AS
  DEMANDING, UNETHICAL, UNCARING, BIASED, ARROGANT,
  AND NEGATIVE
• THE MEDIA DESCRIBED LAW ENFORCEMENT AS EVASIVE,
  UNCOOPERATIVE, NON-TRUSTING, SELF-IMPORTANT,
  INDIFFERENT, AND WITHHOLDING
• MEDIA PARTICIPANTS COMMENTS THERE IS A NEED TO
  GET INFORMATION FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT IN A TIMELY
  MANNER TO KEEP THE PUBLIC INFORMED
• POLICE PARTICIPANT COMMENTS THERE ARE TIMES
  DURING AN ONGOING INVESTIGATION THAT DIVULGING
  INFORMATION WOULD JEOPARDIZE THE CASE

20
SOURCES OF CONFLICT

• THE THREE MOST BASIC VARIETY OF SOURCES BTWEEN
  THE MEDIA AND THE POLICE ARE
• COMPETING OBJECTIVES THE FIRST AMENDMENT
  GUARANTEE OF FREEDOM OF THE PRESS, IS OFTEN
  INCOMPATIBLE WITH THE SIXTH AMENDMENT GUARANTEE
  OF THE RIGHT TO A FAIR TRIAL AND PROTECTION OF A
  DEFENDANTS RIGHTS
• STEREOTYPING A DANGEROUS HABIT THAT CAN GREATLY
  IMPEDE GOOD WORKING RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN LAW
  ENFORCEMENT AND MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA

21
Conflict Cont..

• CONTRADICTORY APPROACHES ANOTHER CONFLICT
  BETWEEN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE MEDIA IS THE
  DANGER MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA MAY EXPOSE THEMSELVES
  TO IN GETTING A STORY
• THE POLICE ARE OBLIGATED TO PROTECT THEM

22
BENEFITS OF CONFLICT

• CONFLICT BETWEEN THE POLICE AND THE MEDIA IS
  NECESSARY BECAUSE EACH MUST REMAIN OBJECTIVE AND
  ABLE TO CONSTRUCTIVELY CRITICIZE THE OTHER WHEN
  NEEDED
• THE NEWS MEDIA HAVE A DISTINCT ROLE IN A
  DEMOCRACY TO OVERSEE THE ACTIONS OF THE
  TRADITIONAL THREE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT AND
  THEREBY PREVENT ABUSES OF POWER BY THOSE BRANCHES
• CONFLICT NEED NOT BE DYSFUNCTIONAL
• CONFLICT CAN STIMULATE PEOPLE TO GROW AND CHANGE
• CONFLICT CAN DIFFUSE DEFENSIVENESS

23
GENERAL POLICIES AND PROTOCOL FOR MEDIA RELATIONS

• MOST AGENCIES HAVE DEVELOPED WRITTEN POLICIES
  GOVERNING RELEASE OF INFORMATION TO THE PRESS
• THESE POLICIES RECOGNIZE THE RIGHT OF REPORTERS
  TO GATHER INFORMATION AND OFTEN DIRECT OFFICERS
  TO COOPERATE WITH THE MEDIA
• OFFICERS WHO ENCOUNTER AND RELEASE INFORMATION TO
  THE MEDIA ARE EXPECTED TO DISPLAY THE HIGHEST
  LEVEL OF PROFESSIONALISM
• MANY AGENCIES HAVE SPECIFIC POLICIES AND PROTOCOL
  TO GUIDE OFFICERS DURING MEDIA INTERVIEWS

24
BEING PROFESSIONAL WHEN BEING INTERVIEWED

• IT HAS BEEN SAID THAT YOU DONT ARGUE WITH
  PEOPLE WHO BUY INK BY THE BARREL
• KNOW AND FOLLOW YOUR AGENCIES MEDIA GUIDELINES
• FIND OUT WHAT YOU ARE TO BE INTERVIEWED ABOUT AND
  GATHER THE FACTS YOU NEED TO RESPOND TO
  ANTICIPATED QUESTIONS
• REMAIN COURTEOUS AND IN CONTROL OF YOUR EMOTIONS
• DO NOT WANDER OR WASTE WORDS
• ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH
• IF YOU DONT KNOW THE ANSWER, SAY SO
• AVOID USING NO COMMENT
• CHOOSE YOUR WORDS CAREFULLY
• MAINTAIN GOOD EYE CONTACT AND DO NOT HESITATE TO
  SMILE IF APPROPRIATE

25
LYING TO THE MEDIA

• LYING TO THE PRESS, MAKING PROMISES THAT YOU CAN
  NOT KEEP OR MISLEADING REPORTERS IS A BAD IDEA
• AGENCIES AND OFFICERS WHO MAKE A PRACTICE OF
  DECEIVING THE MEDIA ARE AT GREAT RISK OF LOSING
  PUBLIC CONFIDENCE
• THE DECISION TO LIE TO THE MEDIA REMAINS, IN
  EFFECT, A DECISION TO LIE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC
• FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT TO HAVE EFFECTIVE PUBLIC
  RELATIONS, IT MUST BUILD BRIDGES OF COOPERATION
• THREE ESSENTIAL PILLARS OF THOSE BRIDGES ARE
  MUTUAL TRUST, MUTUAL CREDIBILITY, AND MUTUAL
  RESPECT LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS CONTEMPLATING
  INTENTIONAL DECEPTION TO THE MEDIA SHOULD ASK
• IF THE OFFICIAL WOULD BE WILLING TO PUBLICLY
  EXPLAIN WHY DECEPTION WAS USED
• IF THEY ARE WILLING TO ACCEPT ANY CONSEQUENCES OF
  THE PUBLIC DISCLOSURE

26
PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICERS

• SOME POLICE DEPARTMENTS FEEL COMFORTABLE ALLOWING
  ANY MEMBER TO TALK TO THE MEDIA AND PROVIDE
  INFORMATION
• SOME DEPARTMENTS DISCOURAGE INDIVIDUAL OFFICERS
  FROM TALKING TO REPORTERS AND INSTEAD DESIGNATE
  PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICERS (PIOS)
• (PIOS) DISSEMINATE ALL INFORMATION TO THE MEDIA
• (PIOS) ARE OFFICERS TRAINED IN PUBLIC RELATIONS
  WHO TRY TO CONSISTENTLY PROVIDE ACCURATE
  INFORMATION, WHILE CONTROLLING LEAKS OF
  CONFIDENTIAL OR INACCURATE DETAILS AND MANAGING
  CONTROVERSIAL OR NEGATIVE SITUATIONS TO THE
  DEPARTMENTS BENEFIT
• (PIOS) HAVE A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF
  RESPONSIBILITY
• WHEN POIS PROPERLY CARRY OUT THEIR
  RESPONSIBILITIES, THEY CAN IMPROVE POLICE-MEDIA
  RELATIONS

27
POLICIES REGARDING PHOTOGRAPHING AND VIDEOTAPING
AT CRIME SCENES

• THEY SAY A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS
• AMERICANS HAVE GROWN ACCUSTOMED TO DETAILED NEWS
  COVERAGE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES
• IN WILSON V. LAYNE THE U.S. SUPREME COURT
  CONFRONTED THE ISSUE OF WHETHER A MEDIA PRESENCE,
  AT LAW ENFORCEMENT INVITATION, TO DOCUMENT POLICE
  ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED ON PRIVATE PREMISES VIOLATED
  PRIVACY RIGHTS PROTECTED BY THE FOURTH AMENDMENT
• THE COURTS RULED WHILE LAW ENFORCEMENT DOES
  POSSESS A LEGITAMATE OBJECTIVE IN PUBLICIZING ITS
  EFFORTS TO COMBAT CRIME, THOSE OBJECTIVES WERE
  NOT SUFFICIENT TO OUTWEIGH THE RIGHT OF
  RESIDENTIAL PRIVACY AT THE CORE OF THE FOURTH
  AMENDMENT

28
Photographing and Videotaping Cont..

• ANOTHER ONCE COMMON POLICE PRACTICE WHERE
  SUSPECTS WERE PARADED BEFORE THE HUGRY EYES OF
  THE MEDIA WAS KNOWN AS PERP WALKS

29
IMPROVING RELATIONS WITH THE MEDIA

• LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS SUFFERED A NUMBER OF BODY
  BLOWS TO TO ITS IMAGE IN THE LAST COUPLE OF
  YEARS
• AN IMPORTANT FIRST STEP TO IMPROVE RELATIONS WITH
  THE MEDIA IS TO BE AWARE OF THREE BASIC REASONS
  WHY REPORTERS MAY FOUL UP A STORY
• REPORTERS MAY BUNGLE A STORY DUE TO IGNORANCE,
  OVERSIMPLIFICATION, OR TIME CONSTRAINTS
• TO IMPROVE POLICE-MEDIA RELATIONS
• INFORM PRESS OF DEPARTMENTS POLICIES
• SIMPLIFY YOUR INFORMATION
• AVOID POLICE JARGON
• RESPECT REPORTERS

30
CONT IMPROVING RELATIONS WITH THE MEDIA

• WEXLER OFFERS THE FOLLOWING SUGGESTIONS FOR
  WORKING EFFECTIVELY WITH THE MEDIA
• GET TO KNOW EDITORS AND REPORTERS AT
  NON-STRESSFUL TIMES
• DONT OVERLOOK THE EDITORIAL BOARDS AND OP-ED
  PAGE EDITORS OF NEWSPAPERS OF T.V.
• BE CAREFUL ABOUT GIVING EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS TO
  NATIONAL CORRESPONDENTS WHILE YOU BYPASS LOCAL
  REPORTS

31
STRATEGIES FOR DEVELOPING PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE
MEDIA

• THE NATIONAL CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL ADVOCATES
  THE STRATEGY OF USING THE LOCAL MEDIA AS AN ALLIE
  IN THE POLICE EFFORT TO FOCUS ATTENTION ON
  COMMUNITY-BASED CRIME PREVENTION PROJECTS AND
  ORGANIZATIONS
• IT HAS BEEN SUGGESTED THAT BECAUSE THE MEDIA
  COVERS ISSUES OF PUBLIC INTEREST, PRUDENT
  MANAGERS SHOULD REALIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF
  PROACTIVELY USING THE MEDIA AS A TOOL TO GET
  THEIR DEPARTMENTS MESSAGE OUT TO THE COMMUNITY
• DEPARTMENTS HAVE CAUGHT ON TO THE EFFECTIVENESS
  OF TELEVISED LAW ENFORCEMENT PROGRAMS
• BLUELINE CPD CAPITALIZES ON THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY
  TO PRODUCE A FORMAT THEY CALL INTERACTIVE T.V.

32
STRATEGIES PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE MEDIA Cont..

• BLUELINE CPD USES THE COMPUTERIZED CRIMEMAPPING
  CAPABILITY OF THE GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
  SYSTEM(GIS)
• (PIOS) FOUND A MUTUALLY ACCEPTABLE SOLUTION TO
  THE PROBLEM OF NEEDING TO GET INFORMATION TO ALL
  THE MEDIA RAPIDLY AND THEY FORMED A PAGER
  INFORMATION NETWORK (PIN)
• (PIN) THE PIO CAN MAKE ONE PHONE CALL FROM
  ANYWHERE, AND SIMULTANEOUSLY NOTIFY ALL THE MEDIA
  IN THE NETWORK
• MEDIA PERSONNEL ARE TYPICALLY TO BUSY AND MAY BE
  RELUCTANT TO COMMIT TO OR TAKE PART IN NEW
  PROJECTS OR TIME-CONSUMING ACTIVITIES
• AS POLICE DEPARTMENTS ADOPT THE
  COMMUNITY-POLICING PHILOSOPHY AND IMPLEMENT
  STRATEGIES, PUBLIC SUPPORT IS VITAL
• THE MEDIA CAN PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN OBTAINING
  THAT SUPPORT

33
The End