VSP-DIR-350
Press Release and Public Information Policy

1.0 Purpose
1.1

To establish guidelines for the creation and dissemination of press releases and
interactions with media and the public

1.2

It is the intention of the Vermont State Police to be open and transparent with the
public and the media, in accordance with state statutes, to include the Vermont
Public Records Law.

2.0 Definitions
2.1

Public Record: any information written or recorded, regardless of physical form or
characteristics, which is produced or acquired in the course of public agency
business.

2.2

Juvenile: any person under the age of eighteen (18) years.

2.3

Press Release: any written document reporting law enforcement and public safety
actions taken by the Vermont State Police, and disseminated through state email
listserves or otherwise for the benefit and use by the media and public.

2.4

Public Interest:
A. an event or circumstances that impact or concerns public safety;
B. an event or circumstances that impact or concerns public officials or public
places;
C. an event that the public has witnessed;
D. an event or circumstance that could reasonably be expected to cause public
concern or alarm.

3.0 Press Release Guidelines
3.1

Press releases will be issued as soon as practicable for significant incidents of
public interest, including, but not limited to arrests, citations, road closures,
hazardous scenes and motor vehicle crashes.

3.2

Press releases shall be constructed using the approved Vermont State Police
templates and delivered using Vermont State Police media distribution groups.
Once complete, the press release shall be incorporated into the case file.

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 3.3

Press releases, media interviews, reports and public information released shall
adhere to Vermont’s public records law and department records release policy, as
outlined in the Vermont State Police Records Release Policy.

3.4

Death investigations are often performed in response to an incident of public
interest. Deaths that occur in a public place and generate a response from law
enforcement may generate public and media interest. A press release shall be issued
within 24 hours for all death investigations, with the exception of the following:
A. Suicides with no public interest.
B. Natural deaths with no public interest.
C. Deaths where the release of information would impede or cause harm to the
integrity of an investigation.

3.5

The name(s) of the decedent(s) in fatalities will be withheld until notification of
next of kin.

3.6

The identity of a department member involved in a shooting will be withheld for 24
hours or as otherwise determined by the Commissioner of Public Safety.

4.0 Information that Should Be Released
4.1

Details to be included in a press release;
A. Name, age, sex, town of residence; (Do not release date of birth)
B. Nature and description of incident;
C. Town and location of incident;
D. Date, time, and place of arrest or citation;
E. Offense(s) for which person was arrested or cited;
F. Arresting officer and agency;
G. Disposition (lodged, bond, court date/arraignment time if known);
H. Vermont Civil Violation Complaints (VCVC);
I. Mug shot.

4.2

Information contained in an affidavit of probable cause, which has been filed with
the court and is public (i.e., not under seal), may be released.

5.0 Information that Should Not Be Released
5.1

Person(s) name or information that could identify the victim of a sex crime, assault,
including domestic assault, burglary, robbery or any crime against the person.

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 5.2

The identity of any person who is a witness to or victim of a crime, or any victim or
witness information that could jeopardize the safety of a witness or otherwise
impede an investigation.

5.3

Information related to criminal investigations should not be released if it relates to
the detection and investigation of crime and if the release could or would
reasonably:
A. Interfere with an investigation or other enforcement proceedings;
B. Deprive a person of a right to a fair trial or an impartial adjudication;
C. Constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy;
D. Disclose the identity of a confidential source;
E. Disclose techniques and procedures or guidelines for law enforcement
investigations or prosecutions, which would reasonably be expected to risk
circumvention of the law, or;
F. Endanger the life or physical safety of an individual.

5.4

Department of Public Safety internal investigation reports, except as provided in 20
V.S.A. § 1923.

5.5

Autopsy reports.

5.6

Uniform Crash Reports.

5.7

Sealed or expunged files.

5.8

Medical Information.

5.9

The character, reputation or prior criminal record of a person, unless contained in a
bail statement or affidavit filed with the court and is public.

5.10 The existence or content of a confession.
5.11 The performance or results of any examination or test or the refusal or failure of a
person to submit to an examination or test.
6.0 Juveniles
6.1

A juvenile’s identity or any information that could reveal a juvenile’s identity shall
not be released until such time that the State’s Attorney determines whether the
juvenile will be charged in criminal court.

6.2

A juvenile’s custody status, e.g., juveniles in the custody of the Department of
Children and Families, or any information that could reveal a juvenile’s custody
status shall not be released. All media inquiries regarding a juvenile’s custody
status shall be referred to the Department of Children and Families.
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 6.3

Juvenile arrests, including records or information reflecting an initial arrest or
citation of a juvenile shall not be released if a juvenile is cited into juvenile or
family court, as determined by the State’s Attorney’s Office, pursuant to 33 V.S.A §
5117.

6.4

The names of juvenile crime victims shall not be released, except in situations
where the victim is deceased.

6.5

The names of juveniles shall be released in the following instances:
A. Drivers/passengers in motor vehicle crashes;
B. Individuals issued a Vermont Civil Violation Complaint (VCVC) regardless of
age, and;
C. When the release, to include a photograph, would aid in locating a missing
person.

7.0 Information Related to Vermont Civil Violation Complaints (VCVC)
7.1

Information from records pertaining to VCVC may be released, except for the
following:
A. An individual's photograph;
B. Social security number;
C. Driver identification number;
D. Street address or P.O. Box;
E. Date of birth;
F. Telephone number.

8.0 Media Relations Procedure
8.1

Media access to a crime or serious incident scene is the responsibility of the
incident commander and should usually be restricted to the outer perimeter of a
crime scene or serious incident. The purpose of restricted access includes, but is not
limited to, public safety and crime scene integrity.

8.2

Members shall strive to respond promptly to requests for information from the
public and members of the press.

8.3

The Public Information Officer (PIO) shall be appointed by the Director or designee
and shall be responsible for:
A. Assisting, preparing, and disseminating news releases and public information
regarding matters of public interest, public educational campaigns, or other
matters as determined by the Commissioner or Director;
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 B. Soliciting feedback and input from media and the public regarding agency
policies and procedures related to public information;
C. Chairing the Media Relations Committee, comprised of members from the press
and the Department of Public Safety; and
D. Such other matters as determined by the Commissioner or the Director.
8.4

The Watch Commander shall work in conjunction with the PIO to respond to public
media inquiries.

Effective March 1, 1986
Revised May 1, 1993
Revised October 1, 1994
Revised August 1, 2004
Revised July 1, 2007
Revised July 13, 2017 - This revision combines parts of VSP-DIR-316 Part I and VSP-DIR 316 Part II.
The Vermont State Police Manual provides only internal Vermont State Police guidance. It is not intended to, does not,
and may not be relied upon to create any rights, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law by any party in any civil,
criminal, or administrative matter. It is not intended to and does not apply in any criminal or civil proceeding outside of
internal Department proceedings. No policy included in this publication should be construed as creating a higher legal
standard of safety or care in an evidentiary sense with respect to third party claims.

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