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Sheriff's Information Bureau's Unit Orders

20-05 Press Release Information on a Peace Officer's Arrest


20-04 Sheriff's Information Bureau Offices Security
20-06 Use Of Portable Radios by Sheriff’s Information Bureau Personnel

LOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT

EXECUTIVE DIVISION

SHERIFF’S INFORMATION BUREAU

Unit Order:

20-05

 

Effective Date:

03-10-2020

 

Subject:

Press Release Information on a Peace Officer's Arrest 

 

Reference:

Unit Commander’s Letter #398 (02-03-2017)

MPP 3-09/090.40 Procedure for Release of Information

 

PURPOSE OF ORDER

The purpose of this order is to define the procedures by which Sheriff’s Information Bureau (SIB) assists Department members and outside agencies with requests for press release information on a peace officer’s arrest.

 

SCOPE OF ORDER

The following guidelines have been established to clarify our policy regarding the release of information about Sheriff's Department personnel, or any law enforcement officer, in the event of their arrest.  These guidelines have been shaped by the directives of the Penal Code, Government and Labor Codes, as well as the Peace Officer's Bill of Rights.

 

ORDER

In the event any law enforcement officer is arrested by our Department, the only foreseeable valid reason for the denial of a press release would be to preserve the integrity of a continuing investigation.

 

When a press release is authorized, the following information should be released:  The officer's full name, occupation, and the factual details of the officer's arrest and booking information.  No information will be released until it is authorized by the investigating unit and the SIB Captain.  The release shall be in regular press release format or statement.

 

The following information shall not be released:

 

  • Any information about the officer which you must enter his/her personnel file to obtain.  Per the California Attorney General's office, we will not release any information or allude to any complaints or internal investigations against any deputy or group of deputies.
  • Inquiries by the media about one of our Department members who was arrested by an outside agency, will be referred to the arresting agency for details.  We will only confirm employment.
  • Employment will not be verified if the employee is listed on the exclusionary roster.

 

NOTIFICATION OF THE ARREST OF LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL

In the event that a sworn member of another law enforcement agency is arrested by personnel from our Department, it shall be the policy of SIB to ensure that a courtesy notification is made to the concerned agency prior to the release of any information to the media.

It is not the intention of this policy to unduly delay the release of such information to the media when appropriate, but merely to respect the needs of the agency involved before any such release is made.

 

Refer to the Media Guide book for additional information.