Policy
MPD employees shall not unnecessarily obstruct news media personnel from performing their duties at emergency scenes. However, news media will not be allowed to cross police lines, which are set up to protect a crime scene. Members of the media must follow all municipal, state, and federal statutes. Media can be restricted from an area where their presence can jeopardize police operations. Only the ranking on-scene officer may grant news media representatives access to any area closed because of investigation or health and safety hazards.
Definitions
Refer to the Commonly Used Terms page for general definitions.
- Investigation: A structured process of gathering, examining, and evaluating facts and evidence to determine what occurred, assess compliance with laws and policies, and support appropriate actions or decisions.
- Media Affiliate: Media means any person who is an employee, agent, or independent contractor of any newspaper, magazine or other periodical, book publisher, news agency, wire service, radio or television station or network, cable or satellite station or network, or audio or audiovisual production company, or any entity that is in the regular business of news gathering and disseminating news or information to the public by any means, including, but not limited to, print, broadcast, photographic, mechanical, internet, or electronic distribution. For purposes of this policy, the following are indicia of being a member of the media: visual identification as a member of the press, such as by displaying a professional or authorized press pass or wearing a professional or authorized press badge or some distinctive clothing that identifies the wearer as a member of the press.