- Friday October 30th, 2020 :: 05:01 p.m. PDT
MEDIA RELATIONS DURING ELECTION ACTIVITIES - OR POTENTIAL CIVIL UNREST
Where it is the goal of the LASD to ensure that the public can express their right to assemble to address their grievances with the government peacefully, it is also our goal for news media outlets to express their first amendment right to a free press and access to report the news.
However, although media attend events worldwide to document and broadcast public information across various platforms, there is always a potential for danger. Whether reporting live from the scene of a natural or humanmade disaster, a hazardous location, or a turbulent event, the chance of becoming unwittingly involved or injured is ever-present. This is especially true when covering dynamic and rapidly evolving events like civil disturbances and unlawful assemblies.
When these situations occur, law enforcement’s senses are heightened, and the public’s safety becomes our paramount concern. Because of this, we wish to provide some basic safety recommendations for media reporting from the field during the following week and for the future.
These recommendations were crafted with support from various news media partners, through the Radio Televison News Association of Southern California. We at the LASD thank all of the press clubs and organizations that provided input for these recommendations.
In addtion, please check with your outlet for specific guidance.
- Have phone numbers and contact information for the law enforcement agency’s PIO, Watch Commander, and Dispatch with you and your crew. Provide these numbers to your assignment desk, producers, and legal team in the event you are detained or cannot be contacted in the field.
- For the LASD , you can call the media line at 213-229-1850 or use the following link for station numbers https://lasd.org/stations/
- For the LASD , you can call the media line at 213-229-1850 or use the following link for station numbers https://lasd.org/stations/
- Call ahead for the law enforcement agency’s preferred placement and parking for the media.
- Please note: The LASD supports multiple agencies across the county. If you are reporting in a non-patrolled LASD jurisdiction, please contact that law enforcement agency.
- Please note: The LASD supports multiple agencies across the county. If you are reporting in a non-patrolled LASD jurisdiction, please contact that law enforcement agency.
- After you have parked in a safe and secure area, determine an exit strategy for you and your crew – both by foot and in a vehicle. Create a buddy system or contingency if you get separated from your team.
- After you arrive, seek out the nearest law enforcement representative and ask to speak with a supervisor, PIO, or Incident Commander: Introduce yourself, your crew, and security detail – show your credentials, station ID, or business card. Confirm where they would like you to stage and where you should go in the event an order to disperse has been issued.
- PROMINENTLY display your law enforcement agency-issued press credential, station identification, or any station-issued clothing with call letters or station logo, including mic flags. The federally mandated yellow vest for use on freeways is also good to wear, especially if it has a station logo or call letters.
- Freelancers: Make sure you are issued a letter or identifier from the contracting outlet to verify your assignment. Or, have a business card identifying your position – also, refer to the above suggestion.
- If your coverage puts you in the middle of a crowd, make sure you continue to prominently display your media affiliation and take all precautions to remain safe. Law enforcement has made it clear in times of chaos, officers and deputies find it difficult to separate protesters from the media, especially if the media are not wearing credentials or other prominently displayed affiliation. If you choose to blend in as a protester, you may be mistakenly treated with any appropriate tactical response.
- Be cooperative with law enforcement personnel and their lawful orders.
- When looking to interview a law enforcement member, please seek out the incident commander or other field member. During civil unrest or crowd control measures, deputies on the line have specific duties and are at a heightened state of readiness. They will not provide a statement.
- Members of the media must comply with lawful orders and commands – this includes an order to disperse or unlawful assembly. CA Penal Code 409.5 does not apply to these orders.
- If you are detained, calmly identify yourself as a member of the media, show your credentials or business card, and ask for a supervisor or PIO. It’s even better if you know a name - this is why introducing yourself ahead of time is a good idea. If you are told to hand over your camera, recording deck, or any work product, explain it is the property of your company, and they must contact them directly. Have someone nearby record the interaction and make sure you have them send it to your assignment desk or other colleagues.
Sergeant Bob Boese,
Sheriff’s Information Bureau – Newsroom
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
Hall of Justice - First floor
211 W. Temple St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
213-229-1700
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Alex Villanueva, Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
Address/Location
LASD - Los Angeles County Sheriffs Dept Information Bureau (SIB)
211 W Temple St
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 213-229-1700