Provided 6-17-16 1516 RTKL 0181 PHILADELPHIA SCHOOL DISTRICT Office of School Safety D i r e c t i v e #22 SUBJECT: RELEASE OF INFORMATION TO NEWS MEDIA I. PURPOSE A. In order to enhance the effectiveness of the relationship between school police officers and the public, it is essential to communicate properly with the media. Fundamental to building this relationship are mutual trust, credibility, and respect. B. The School District acknowledges the necessity to deliver honest information to the public in a timely manner. C. Only designated persons will speak with the media. II. PROCEDURE A. It is the policy of the School District to keep the public informed of matters concerning citizens. To protect the students, only designated persons shall speak with the media. Designated persons include: The Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Safety Executive, & the Department of Communications. B. Under certain circumstances, the officially designated persons may authorize school police officers to release information to the media. The following guidelines will be adhered to by school police officers: 1. Members of the news media who wish to gain access to information regarding the School District must present credible identification of whom they are representing. If the news media is from the Philadelphia area, they will possess a City of Philadelphia Press Card. If the media is from another location, the bearer must present documentation from a credible organization and it will be considered acceptable. a. If members of the news media do not have acceptable identification, SPO must direct them to a representative from the Office of Communications or to the School Police Supervisor on the scene. 2. School police officers may not prevent the media from attaining access to information; therefore, they must redirect the media to a designated person. a. SPOs are to inform the media that they will not release information by reason of protecting the students’ data. 3. Unless authorized, the media will not be allowed to enter schools or School District property to cover a story. NOTE: Preferential treatment of one member of the media over another will not be tolerated. 1 - 22 C. D. III. Information, assistance, or access should be rendered to whatever extent possible when it does not: 1. Pose an undue risk to the personal safety of members of the school police, media representatives, or the public. 2. Interfere with police operations. 3. Adversely affect the rights of an accused or the investigation or prosecution of a crime. 4. Disclose information relative to deployment or staffing. 5. Disclose personal student information. SPOs will not intentionally interfere with the videotaping or the photographing of incidents in public areas. Intentional interference such as blocking or obstructing cameras or harassing the photographer constitutes censorship and is unacceptable. PROCEDURE A. If a school police officer is authorized to speak to the media by a designated person, he/she must not release the following information: 1. The name, home address, or telephone number of the student. 2. The age or grade of the student. 3. Photographs, unless written permission is received from the student’s parent(s)/guardian(s). 4. Prior criminal records of the accused including arrests and convictions. 5. Exaggerated statements. 6. The possibility of a guilty plea. 7. SPO must not speak for the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Safety Officer. B. A school police officer may only release a description of the situation. C. Only the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Safety Executive, the Chief of Communications, or the Chief of Staff may release the following: 1. Answers to questions regarding enforcement policies. 2. Information regarding disciplinary actions against members of school police. 3. Policy statements. 4. Annual reports. 5. Statistical data related to crime. D. School police personnel are reminded that the Chief Safety Executive of the Office of School Safety reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer and acts on his behalf on matters concerning the media. Issues or questions involving members of the press or their conduct should immediately be referred to the Chief Safety Executive and to the Office of Communications for remediation. They are readily available to provide support or assist school police personnel with on-scene media activities and police-media relations. 2 - 22 IV. ADDITIONAL DATA A. Any members of the school police having questions regarding the policy of this directive are advised to contact the Office of Communications at 215-400-4040 and the pertinent Commander. 07-14-04 Revised 07-12-06 JUNE 2015 BY ORDER OF THE CHIEF SAFETY EXECUTIVE OFFICE of SCHOOL SAFETY 3 - 22