TRAINING

BULLETIN

Date of Issue
21 Feb 14

Index Number: VIII-J

Alpha Index: News-Media Relations
Evaluation Coordinator: Assistant Chief
Automatic Revision Cycle: 3 Years
Department Training Bulletins shall be used to advise members of current police techniques and
procedures and shall constitute official policy.

News Media Relations

Introduction
A well informed, supportive, and cooperative public is essential to successful police service.
Public trust and confidence in law enforcement are dependent upon open and honest
communication with the citizenry. Such communication is most effectively and efficiently
achieved through the news media. The Founding Fathers considered the media function so
important that they guaranteed the freedom of the press in the Bill of Rights.
Reports of police activity by newspapers, radio, and television do more to influence public opinion
about the Department than the Department's own public-relations efforts. This statement is not
meant to minimize the Department's public relations efforts; it speaks to the persuasive power of
the media.
Department policy requires officers to make every reasonable effort to help reporters cover the
news. Media representatives shall be treated in a fair and impartial manner.
During an event of major significance to the press, the Department may conduct press relations
through a field command post or through briefings and press releases provided by the Public
Information Officer (PIO).
At crime and disaster scenes that are of less than major significance to the press, members of the
news media communicate with the PIO, commanders, field supervisors, and/or assigned
investigators.
Press Identification Card
Oakland Municipal Code (OMC) Section 5.70.010, Admittance of Press within Police
Lines-Issuance of Press Cards, authorizes the Chief of Police to issue press cards to:
...newsgatherers, reporters, and photographers in the actual bona fide employment of a
newspaper...or...press association or radio or television station...for the purpose of
securing their admittance within all police lines in the City of Oakland.
Local media representatives carry OPD press cards (see Figure 1), but press credentials issued by
other law enforcement agencies or by a newspaper, magazine, television, or radio station should
also be recognized.
The Chief of Police is also authorized to issue temporary press cards and press parking passes.

New Media Relations, Index Number VIII-J

Temporary press cards are not to be used on routine or general assignments and are subject to
renewal every ninety days. Temporary press cards are identical to the yearly press cards except
they do not have a persons photograph on the card, temporary replaces the persons name and
media pass replaces the press organization.
Figure 1 (Press Card Front and Back)
Card Holder
Photograph

Card Holder Name

Press Organization
Name

Year card expires

If an officer doubts the validity of a media representative's credentials, the officer refers the
representative to his or her on-scene commander.
A press parking pass (see Figure 2) is a pass issued by the Oakland Police Department that, when
displayed, allows a member of the media to park in certain parking zones while covering a news
event. During an emergency condition and the first hour immediately following the end of an
emergency condition, a press parking pass allows press vehicles to park in a green zone, metered
parking space or posted parking zone in excess of the time allowed by ordinance, provided the
vehicle is parked within 1,000 feet of the emergency condition. An emergency condition means
any incident which has resulted in, or is likely to imminently result in, the dispatch of police or
fire personnel (OMC Section 10.32.180).

21 Feb 14 Oakland Police Department

A press parking pass does not exempt a member of the media from other parking restrictions such
as red zones, hydrants, crosswalks, bus zones, disabled parking zones, transit lines and other towaway zones.
Figure 2 (Press Parking Pass front and back)

Press Parking Pass should be displayed in a visible position inside the press vehicle.

Press Access to the Scene of a Disaster

At a disaster scene, an officer has the authority to restrict the access of reporters only when their
presence would impede rescue efforts.
Penal Code (PC) Section 402, Interference with Personnel at the Scene of an Emergency, gives
media representatives, for whom "it is part of the duties of that person's employment to view the
scene or activities", access to the scene of an emergency.

New Media Relations, Index Number VIII-J

Section 402 (a) PC
Every person who goes to the scene of an emergency, or stops at the scene of an emergency
(unless it is part of the duties of that person's employment to view that scene or activities), for the
purpose of viewing the scene or the activities of:
police officers;
firefighters;
emergency medical;
other emergency personnel; or
military personnel
AND thereby impedes police officers, firefighters, emergency medical, other emergency personnel
or military personnel in the performance of their duties in coping with the emergency is guilty of a
misdemeanor.
For the purposes of section 402 PC an emergency is defined in sub-section (c) as:
An emergency includes a condition or situation involving:
injury to persons;
damage to property; or
peril to the safety of persons or property
Which results from a fire, an explosion, an airplane crash, flooding, windstorm damage, a
railroad accident, a traffic accident, a power plant accident, a toxic chemical or biological
spill, or any other natural or human-caused event.
Section 409.5 (a) PC, Authority of Peace Officers, gives police officers the authority to close an
area during a calamity (e.g. flood, storm, fire, earthquake, explosion, accident or other disaster):
Whenever a menace to the public health or safety is created by a calamity... police
departments ...may close the area where the menace exists for the duration thereof by
means of ropes, markers, or guards to any and all persons not authorized by such
officer to enter or remain within the closed area.
Section 409.5 (b) PC, gives police officers additional authority to close, to any and all
unauthorized persons, the immediate area surrounding any emergency field command post or any
other command post activated for the purpose of abating:
Any calamity enumerated in this section; or
Any riot; or
Other civil disturbance

21 Feb 14 Oakland Police Department

This applies whether or not the field command post or other command post is located near the
actual calamity or riot or other civil disturbance.
The Authority to close an area is limited by Section 409.5 (d) PC:
Nothing in this section shall prevent a duly authorized representative of any given
news service, newspaper, or radio or television station or network from entering the
areas closed pursuant to this section.
The court has interpreted these statutes to mean that reporters may enter a closed disaster scene at
their own risk as long as they do not "impede" emergency personnel "in the performance of their
duties." When an area is closed, the press must be "accommodated with whatever limited access to
the site may be afforded without interference" 1 to emergency personnel.
Press Access to the Scene of a Crime
Section 409.5(d) PC, above, does not provide a media representative with the right to interfere
with the conducting of an investigation by violating the security of a crime scene or endangering
the integrity of physical evidence.
Photographers, for example, can be prevented from entering a room in which a victim has been
shot although it might be proper to allow a photographer to take pictures of the interior from a
doorway.
Manual of Rules Section 370.54, Press Relations at a Crime Scene, states:
Insofar as is consistent with sound police practice and in the absence of the PIO,
members in control of a crime scene shall grant access and supply information
regarding the incident to the working press. Whenever a member feels that release of
information or access to the scene is contrary to sound police practice, he or she shall
refer the reporter to the Public Information Officer or to the member's immediate
supervisor for further decision.
Release of Information about a Crime or Disaster
All Department personnel shall cooperate with members of the news media and shall respond to
inquiries to the extent that personnel can factually address the questions.
Field supervisors, commanders, and assigned investigators may respond to preliminary questions
from the media at the scene of major incidents such as homicides, accidents involving serious
injuries, barricaded suspects, or crime-in-progress situations.
Field supervisors, commanders, or investigators may request that the Communications Division
initiate a call-out of the PIO or ask that the PIO place himself or herself in a standby position.
When called to an incident scene, the PIO assumes responsibility for coordinating media requests
and assisting command with public statements. The PIO keeps command informed of media
activities.

Leiserson v. City of San Diego, 184 Cal. App.3d 4.

New Media Relations, Index Number VIII-J

Unless disclosure of information endangers the safety of a person involved in or the successful
completion of an investigation, the PIO, commanders, field supervisors, or assigned investigators
normally release the following information about an adult arrestee:
Name, address, and occupation;
Date and time of arrest;
Factual circumstances surrounding the arrest;
Location where arrestee is held;
The arrestee's outstanding warrants and probation/parole status; and
All charges under which the arrestee is held.
Unless disclosure of information endangers the safety of a person involved in or the successful
completion of an investigation, the PIO, commanders, field supervisors, or assigned investigators
normally release the following information about an incident:
Time;
Substance;
Location of all complaints or requests for assistance;
Time and nature of response;
Name, age, and address of victim (except those of sex-crime victims); and
General descriptions of injuries, weapons, and property involved.
If in doubt about the propriety of furnishing information to a reporter, an officer shall consult his
or her supervisor or refer the reporter to the PIO.
If an officer feels that the release of information will impair the progress of an investigation, the
officer shall so inform the news media and, if possible, provide press representatives with an
estimated time when such information will be released.
In the aftermath of a large scale natural disaster, the PIO shall coordinate Department relations
with the media, schedule briefings, prepare releases, and, when required, arrange site tours. The
PIO also acts as liaison between Department and other City and outside-agency public information
officers.
Restricted Information at a Crime Scene
While a member assigned to the field may speak with representatives of the media, it is important
that he or she not state as a fact what may only be a premature judgment, an estimate, or a guess.
Equally important, Department personnel shall not furnish the media with information that could
prejudice the rights of an individual. Information that could prejudice the rights of an individual
includes the following:

21 Feb 14 Oakland Police Department

Statements as to the character or reputation of an arrestee, suspect, or prospective witness;
Admissions, confessions, or alibis attributed to an arrestee or suspect;
Refusal of an arrestee, suspect, or witness to take any test or the results of such test;
The believed credibility of an arrestee, suspect, or witness;
The probability of an arrestee entering a guilty plea; and
An opinion of the value of evidence against an arrestee or suspect.
Information which could violate the security or integrity of an incident and should not be released
to the news media without the approval of the assigned investigator or the PIO includes the
following:
Names of suspect(s);
I.D. of suspect(s) left at the scene;
Information about money or valuables left or overlooked by a suspect;
Information which might forewarn a suspect and enable him or her to prepare an alibi;
Names of witnesses;
Contents of statements by arrestees, suspects, or witnesses;
Details of sex offenses involving children; and
Type of weapon or number of rounds fired.
Release of Information about Bank Robberies
Bank robberies present a situation of concurrent jurisdiction. The Department has responsibility
for a bank robbery until the arrival of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), at which time the
two agencies share jurisdiction over the investigation. From that time forward, the Department and
the FBI coordinate their activities, including contacts with the press.
After a bank robbery, the following information shall not be given to the press:
Whether or not "bait" money was stolen (i.e. money with serial numbers previously recorded
for identification purposes);
The location of the bank's alarm system or other security systems; and
The bank's security procedures.

New Media Relations, Index Number VIII-J

Press Relations with Prisoners at a Jail Facility
Procedures for press relations with prisoners are governed by the applicable jail facilitys policies
and procedures which are designed to protect a prisoner's rights, protect the security of the jail
facility and govern the press's ability to interview or photograph prisoners at the jail facility.
There are four circumstances in which a prisoner may not be interviewed:
The prisoner exercises his/her right to refuse to talk to the press.
An investigator instructs the Jail Facility not to allow an interview in order to preserve the
confidentiality of an ongoing investigation.
An insufficient number of staff members are available to satisfy security and safety concerns.
The prisoner is dangerous and poses a threat to the security of the jail.
Press Access to Police Records
As provided in Department General Order M-9, RELEASE OF RECORDS, members of the press
are entitled to view copies of all offense and arrest reports, except those requiring clearance from
an investigator, at the Records Section in the Police Administration Building.
Employees receiving a request from the press for information contained in an offense or arrest
report shall verify that the person is a bona fide member of the press, by requesting press
credentials.
Records Section employees shall not show to the press:
Follow-Up Investigation;
Technician Reports;
Property Records; or
Statements*
*

Information in an affidavit in support of a search or arrest warrant will be available to the

press once the affidavit is filed. Investigators should request the issuing judge to seal the file if
it contains information which, if prematurely released, may jeopardize the case or the safety
of a witness.

Release of Other Information to the Press

Information relating to police personnel recruitment, training requirements, and general personnel
related matters may be released by the Personnel and Training Division or the PIO.
Information relating to statistical, budgetary, and/or planning issues may be released by the Fiscal
Services Division or the PIO.
Information to be referred to and released by the PIO includes the following:
All inquiries relating to Department policy;

21 Feb 14 Oakland Police Department

Criticisms of the Department that require an official response;

Information on police investigations that may have legal ramifications for the Department;
Statements pertaining to pending or on-going civil litigation involving the Department and its
employees;
Information concerning internal investigations, civil litigation, disciplinary matters,
officer-involved shootings, or any information that an officer or employee believes could
infringe upon individual rights;
Requests to film police facilities and/or personnel for the purpose of advertisement or
television or film production;
Information contained in Department publications and Department memorandums;
Inquiries about criminal incidents which, due to their nature, affect on the public, or stature of
perpetrator or victim, attract wide media interest; and
Any inquiry about information an officer or employee is uncertain should be released to the
press

Rev.
29 Jun 99

DEPARTMENTAL
GENERAL
ORDER
A-16
Ref: CALEA
Standards 54.1.1;
54.1.2; 54.1.3

Index as:
Departmental Public Information Officer
Media Releases
Public Information
PUBLIC INFORMATION

The purpose of this order is to set forth Departmental policy and procedures
regarding the release of police information, and establish the position and duties of
a Public Information Officer.
I.

II.

POLICY
A.

Members and employees shall respect the freedom of the press.

Media representatives shall be treated in a fair and impartial manner.

B.

Reasonable efforts shall be made to assist credentialed media

representatives in reporting news in accordance with Departmental
policy and procedures. To the extent practical, the Departments
Public Information Officer (PIO) shall be utilized to respond to, and
coordinate media responses to requests for information and
interviews.

C.

In order to maintain an effective and cooperative working

relationship between the Department and media personnel, media
representatives may provide input to the development of
Departmental policies and procedures relating to the public
information function.

PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER DUTIES AND

RESPONSIBILITIES
A.

The Public Information Officer (PIO) is assigned to the Office of

Chief of Police.

Page 1 of 7

DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER

OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT

A-16

Rev.
29 Jun 99

B.

The PIO shall act as liaison between the Department and the media
and is the spokesperson/coordinator of the Departments response to
the media on matters described in Part III of this order.

C.

The PIO shall respond to questions from the media or refer them to
the responsible person or agency. Duties of the PIO include, but are
not limited to:
1.

Assist news personnel in covering routine stories and at

incident scenes.

2.

Coordinate, with unit commanders and assigned investigators,

the release of designated public information.

3.

Prepare and distribute press releases and media advisories.

4.

Arrange and stage-manage news conferences held by the

Department.

5.

Review media pass applications, annual renewals, and issue

temporary media passes.

6.

Assist other City agencies and departments at news

conferences, as directed by the Chief of Police.

7.

Actively seek newsworthy or interesting facts about

Department personnel and programs and issue proactive,
positive stories about the Department, its members and
employees.

8.

Coordinate the release of authorized information concerning

confidential Departmental investigations and operations.

9.

Maintain communications with field/incident commanders

during major incidents and natural disasters as described in
Part III, D.

Page 2 of 7

DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER

OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT
III.

A-16

Rev.
29 Jun 99

RELEASE OF INFORMATION
A.

B.

General Guidelines
1.

The Department shall strive for the prompt release of

information to the public, through the media, on matters
affecting public safety.

2.

Media requests for information or interviews should be

coordinated through the PIO when practical.

3.

Members and employees may answer general inquiries from

the public or media regarding law enforcement functions.

4.

Members answering inquiries regarding specific criminal

investigations shall follow the guidelines set forth in
Government Code Section 6254(f) and reproduced here as
Part III, E.

5.

Members and employees may elect to refer press inquiries to

their supervisor or the PIO and should do so if uncertain
about what information can or cannot be released.

6.

Members and employees shall never represent opinion as fact.

Information to be Referred to and/or Released by the Public

Information Officer (PIO)
1.

All inquiries relating to Departmental policy.

2.

Criticisms of the Department that require an official response.

3.

Police investigations that may have legal ramifications for the

Department.

4.

Statements pertaining to pending or on-going civil litigation

involving the Department or its employees.

Page 3 of 7

DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER

OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT

C.

D.

A-16

Rev.
29 Jun 99

5.

Information concerning internal investigations, civil litigation,

disciplinary matters, officer-involved shootings, or any
information that a member or employee believes could
infringe upon individual rights.

6.

Requests to film police facilities and/or personnel for the

purpose of advertisement and/or television/film productions.

7.

Information contained in draft publications and Departmental

memoranda.

8.

Any inquiries where a member or employee is uncertain about

what information is or is not releasable to the public.

9.

Those criminal incidents which, due to their nature, affect on

the public, or the stature of the alleged perpetrator/victim,
could be reasonably assumed to attract wide media interest.

10.

Major incidents (Refer to Part III, D).

Other Releases
1.

Information relating to police personnel recruitment, training

requirements, and general personnel related materials may be
released by the Recruiting Unit or the PIO, during normal
business hours.

2.

Information relating to criminal investigations (including

gambling, vice, and narcotics), except those noted in Part III,
B, may be released through the investigative unit assigned or
the PIO.

3.

Information relating to statistical, budgetary, planning issues

or other administrative reports may be released by the
Research, Planning and Budget Division, Crime Analysis
Unit or the PIO.

Release of Information during a Major Incident

Page 4 of 7

DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER

OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT
1.

2.

E.

A-16

Rev.
29 Jun 99

Field supervisors, commanders, and assigned investigators

may respond to immediate questions from the media received
at the scene of major incidents, such as homicides, accidents
involving serious injuries, barricaded suspects, or crime-inprogress situations.
a.

Field supervisors, commanders, or investigators may

request that the Communications Division initiate a
call-out of the PIO or ask that the PIO place
him/herself in a standby position.

b.

When called to the incident scene, the PIO will assume

responsibility for coordinating media requests, assisting
command with public statements to the media, and
keep command informed of media activities.

In the aftermath of a large scale natural disaster, the PIO shall

coordinate Departmental relations with the media, schedule
briefings, prepare releases, and (when required) arrange site
tours. The PIO will also act as liaison between the
Department and other City and outside agency Public
Information Officers, and develop procedures for releasing
information when outside agencies are involved in a mutual
effort.

Information which must be made public*

* [Unless release or disclosure of a particular item of information
would endanger the safety of a person involved in an investigation
or would endanger the successful completion of an investigation or
a related investigation.] Government Code Section 6254(f)
1.

Arrestee Information
a.

Except for minors, the full name, current address, and

occupation of every person arrested by the
Department.

Page 5 of 7

DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER

OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT

2.

A-16

Rev.
29 Jun 99

b.

The arrestees physical description including: Date of

birth, color of eyes and hair, sex, height, and weight.

c.

Date and time of arrest.

d.

Date and time of booking.

e.

Location of arrest.

f.

Factual circumstances surrounding arrest.

g.

Amount of bail set.

h.

Time and manner of release or location where arrestee

is being held.

i.

All charges subject is being held on including

outstanding warrants and probation/parole status.

Incident Information
a.

Time, substance, and location of all complaints or

requests for assistance.

b.

Time and nature of response thereto, including, to the

extent that such information is recorded:
1)

Time, date, location of occurrence.

2)

Time and date of the report.

3)

Name, age, and current address of victim

(except those of sex crime victims).

4)

The factual circumstances surrounding the crime

or incident.

5)

General (non-specific) description of:

Page 6 of 7

DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER

OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT

IV.

A-16

a)

Any injuries involved

b)

Weapons involved

c)

Property involved

Rev.
29 Jun 99

REFERENCES
A.

Departmental General Order M-9, RELEASE OF PUBLIC

RECORDS

B.

California Government Code 6254(f), Public Records Act,

Exemption of Particular Records

C.

California Penal Code 409.5, Authority of peace officers, life

guard or marine safety officer to close disaster area; exclusive from
police command post area; unauthorized entry; exception.

D.

California Government Code 54950 54960, The Brown Act

E.

Oakland Ordinance No. 11957 C.M.S., The Sunshine Ordinance

F.

Oakland Police Training Bulletin No. VIII-J, News Media

Relations

By order of

Joseph Samuels, Jr.

Chief of Police
GO36/A-16

Page 7 of 7