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Media Relations Handbook

1 by Media Relations Division
MEDIA RELATIONS HANDBOOK

December 2021

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LOS SANTOS POLICE DEPARTMENT


TABLE OF CONTENTS


VOLUME I - GENERAL PROVISIONS

VOLUME II - MEDIA INFORMATION

CHAPTER III - TERMS AND TERMINOLOGY
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MEDIA RELATIONS DIVISION
Administrative Service Bureau
Los Santos Police Department — "To Protect and to Serve"

Re: Media Relations Handbook

2 by Media Relations Division
100 - GENERAL PROVISIONS

110. SPCEMISSION STATEMENT

The Los Santos Police Department is committed to serving the community while protecting the rights of all persons. Consistent with this commitment, the Department’s Vision, Mission, and Core Values, in concert with the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics and the Department’s Management Principles, reflect the guiding philosophy of the Los Santos Police Department.

110.10 SPCEVISION: It is the vision of the Los Santos Police Department to, as closely as possible, achieve a City free from crime and public disorder.

110.11 SPCEMISSION: It is the mission of the Los Santos Police Department to safeguard the lives and property of the people we serve, to reduce the incidence and fear of crime, and to enhance public safety while working with the diverse communities to improve their quality of life. Our mandate is to do so with honor and integrity, while at all times conducting ourselves with the highest ethical standards to maintain public confidence

111. SPCECORE VALUES

111.10 SPCESERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITIES: We are dedicated to enhancing public safety and reducing the fear and the incidence of crime. People in our communities are our most important customers. Our motto “To Protect and to Serve” is not just a slogan - it is our way of life. We will work in partnership with the people in our communities and do our best, within the law, to solve community problems that affect public safety. We value the great diversity of people in both our residential and business communities and serve all with equal dedication.

111.11 SPCEREVERENCE FOR THE LAW: We have been given the honor and privilege of enforcing the law. We must always exercise integrity in the use of the power and authority that have been given to us by the people. Our personal and professional behavior should be a model for all to follow. We will obey and support the letter and the spirit of the Law.

111.12 SPCECOMMITMENT TO LEADERSHIP: We believe the Los Santos Police Department should be a leader in Law Enforcement. We also believe that each individual needs to be a leader in his or her area of responsibility. Making sure that our values become part of our day-to-day work life is our mandate. We must each work to ensure that our co-workers, our professional colleagues, and our communities have the highest respect for the Los Santos Police Department.

111.13 SPCEINTEGRITY IN ALL WE SAY AND DO: Integrity is our standard. We are proud of our profession and will conduct ourselves in a manner that merits the respect of all people. We will demonstrate honest, ethical behavior in all our interactions. Our actions will match our words. We must have the courage to stand up for our beliefs and do what is right. Throughout the ranks, the Los Santos Police Department has a long history of integrity and freedom from corruption. Upholding this proud tradition is a challenge we must all continue to meet.

111.14 SPCERESPECT FOR PEOPLE: Working with the Los Santos Police Department should be challenging and rewarding. Our people are our most important resource. We can best serve the many and varied needs of our communities by empowering our employees to fulfill their responsibilities with knowledge, authority, and appropriate discretion. We believe in treating all people with respect and dignity. We show concern and empathy for the victims of crime and treat violators of the law with fairness and dignity. By demonstrating respect for others, we will earn respect for the Los Santos Police Department.

111.15 SPCEQUALITY THROUGH CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT: We strive to achieve the highest level of quality in all aspects of our work. We can never be satisfied with the “status quo”. We must aim for continuous improvement in serving the people in our communities. We value innovation and support creativity. We realize that constant change is a way of life in a dynamic city like Los Santos, and we dedicate ourselves to proactively seeking new and better ways to serve.
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MEDIA RELATIONS DIVISION
Administrative Service Bureau
Los Santos Police Department — "To Protect and to Serve"

Re: Media Relations Handbook

3 by Media Relations Division
200 - MEDIA INFORMATION

210. SPCEPREAMBLE

This information is intended to assist the media in getting timely news information from the Los Santos Police Department while providing both the media and our officers with a basic outline of releasable information. This is only reference information and it is not intended to cover every possible situation pertaining to the LSPD’s policy on the release of information. An Area watch commander can provide information to the media for incidents, which have occurred within his/her Area. For general information about LSPD news releases, its policies, procedures, area of jurisdiction, news conference information, media credentials, etc., contact Media Relations Division.

Quite often, because of the nature of their duties, police officers are called upon to supply the media with information related to, and sometimes unrelated to, police work. The Los Santos Police Department is committed to adopting an atmosphere of transparency with the media and the public. The Department views the media as an avenue by which to communicate with and educate the public on matters of importance. To accomplish this, the media must be given as much access as legitimately possible, to assist them in their news-gathering and reporting duties. When asked for information regarding a police matter, officers should decide if they possess sufficient facts and are qualified to respond, and whether the person asking is appropriately credentialed to receive the information. Officers should avoid representing their own opinions as facts. When an event being investigated is so spectacular or unusual in nature as to stimulate general community interest, the news media may be notified. An Area watch commander may make such notifications, however, Media Relations Division personnel may assume responsibility for releasing information regarding events of major proportions.

211. SPCEPUBLIC DISCLOSURE OF CRIME AND ARREST REPORTS

211.10 SPCEARREST REPORTS: The following information will be provided upon request, unless the information would endanger the successful completion of an investigation, or a related investigation, or would endanger the safety of a person involved in the incident:

• Arrestee’s full name (except juveniles)
• Area of residence and occupation
• Physical description, age, sex, and descent
• Time, date, location of arrest
• Factual circumstances
• Time and location
• Resistance by the suspect
• Pursuit necessary to arrest
• Use of weapons by suspect
• Use of force by officers
• Identity of arresting/investigating officer
• Limited description of evidence
• The nature, substance, and text of charge
• Any request for assistance from the public
• Amount of bail and location held
• All charges including warrants
• Parole or probation holds

211.11 SPCEUNRELEASABLE INFORMATION: The following information must not be released to the media:

• Identity of the suspect prior to arrest
• Results of investigation prior to arrest, unless the release of the information will:
  1. Aid in investigation
  2. Assist in the apprehension of the suspect(s)
  3. Warn the public of danger
• Employee/personnel matters
• Prior criminal record, reputation, or character of suspect
• Confession or existence of a confession
• Any photograph or mug shots unless:
  1. The release will aid in arrest
  2. The release will aid in investigation
  3. The release will warn public of danger
  4. The arrestee has been booked for a particular crime
• Identity or any personal information regarding a juvenile arrestee or suspect without permission from a Juvenile Court
• The identity, credibility, or testimony of prospective witnesses:
  1. Any personal opinion as to the suspect’s guilt, innocence, or merits of the case
  2. Any information known to be inadmissible in court
  3. Results of investigative procedures (e.g., fingerprints, ballistic tests, etc)

211.12 SPCECRIME SCENE GUIDELINES:

• Do not establish artificial barriers. For example, do not hold the press at bay a block from the crime scene, while simultaneously allowing the general public to wander freely just beyond the crime scene tape.

• Do not prevent the taking of pictures or interviews of person(s) in public places. News reporters may photograph or report anything or interview anyone they observe when legally present at an emergency scene. This includes officers, victims, and witnesses.

• Do not isolate the media outside the crime/incident scene unless the area has been secured to preserve evidence or their presence jeopardizes police operations.

• Do not limit access based on safety concerns. The decision to assume the risk of danger remains with the individual news reporter. A safety hazard to the press does not justify restriction, however, it is the LSPD’s policy to warn the media of potential dangers before allowing access.

211.13 SPCEACCESS AT INCIDENT/CRIME SCENES: Under most circumstances, the incident/crime scene and accompanying command post will be closed to the media. The purpose of such constraints is to protect the integrity of the investigation and to ensure a safe, coordinated and unrestricted response by law enforcement and other emergency personnel. Limitations to media access to incident/crime scenes are subject to review by the responsible incident commander and/or appropriate Department command staff personnel. Limitations should be lifted as soon as the situation warrants and the decision to do so rests with the incident commander or appropriate Department command staff personnel.

Whenever the media is denied access to an incident/crime scene, Officers shall:

• Establish a “Media Area”, with maximum access under the circumstances
• Assign a public information officer or police supervisor at the scene, to provide timely and updated information to the media

212. SPCERIDE-ALONG GUIDELINES

212.10 SPCERIDE-ALONG GUIDELINES - DEFINED: In order to prevent liability against the Los Santos Police Department and its personnel, officers are responsible for ensuring that media and/or camera crews participating in ride-alongs abide by the following list of guidelines:

• Media and/or camera crews who are accompanying Los Santos Police Department personnel are prohibited from accompanying officers into areas that are not accessible to the public; specifically, areas wherein officers gain access due to their authority as peace officers, including, but not limited to, homes, backyards, ambulances, or any area where a reasonable expectation of privacy exists.

• Any authorization from a person being taped, or to enter a non-public area, is solely an agreement between said person and the media and/or a camera crew. Los Santos Police Department personnel shall not be involved in obtaining any such form of consent.

• Authorized Department personnel shall conduct only tasks directly related to their normal law enforcement duties, and shall not grant media and/or camera crews any special treatment or access that exceeds what any other person is entitled to, during the course of a ride-along.

• Authorized Department personnel shall not allow media and/or camera crews to disrupt the normal course of their law enforcement duties and shall terminate the ride-along immediately upon any such disruption.

• All media and/or camera crews attending a ride-along shall have prior consent from the Media Relations Division and Watch Commander. Each member of the news media requesting to ride in a police vehicle shall sign a waiver releasing the City of Los Santos and the Los Santos Police Department from any liability during the course of that ride-along.

• All persons approved for ride-alongs shall ride in a police vehicle. Under no circumstances shall persons engaged in ridealong activities be permitted to follow in “police convoy” style in a private vehicle.

• Under no circumstances shall a member of the media accompany a member of the Department during the search of private property, with or without a warrant.

• Under no circumstances shall any member of the LSPD invite any member of the news media onto the private property of another person for the purpose of filming activity taking place thereon.
  • NOTE: Media personnel may follow officers onto private property when the officers have a legal right to be there, as long as the media personnel have consent from the person(s) in lawful control of the private property, and their presence does not inhibit the officers’ ability to effect their duties. Additionally, the media may observe officers’ activities from an area where they have a legal right to be.

The Los Santos Police Department does not allow media and/or camera crews in any areas, not accessible to the public, without prior consent from the person whose reasonable expectation of privacy exists. There is no exception to this rule.
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MEDIA RELATIONS DIVISION
Administrative Service Bureau
Los Santos Police Department — "To Protect and to Serve"

Re: Media Relations Handbook

4 by Media Relations Division
300 - TERMS AND TERMINOLOGY

310. SPCEEMERGENCY OPERATIONS

310.10 SPCEAIR SUPPORT DIVISION:

• HOOPER: Hooper Memorial Heliport. Home of Air Support Division

• ASTRO: Air Support to Regular Operations (Air Support Division’s “patrol” flights)

• FLIR: Forward-Looking Infra-Red, one part of a dual-sensor camera system. The FLIR is a heat-sensitive imaging system, which makes it easier for the aircrew to detect the presence of individuals (i.e. suspects in hiding) on the ground due to the heat signature of their bodies. When the FLIR camera is activated, the terrain below the helicopter is displayed on a monitor inside the cockpit. The image appears much like that of a negative from a black and white photograph. Warm and hot objects are white, cool, and cold objects are depicted in various shades from gray to black.

• Nightsun: 50 million candle power searchlight assembly that can be “slaved” to the FLIR or Video Camera System.

• Video Downlink: one part of the dual-sensor camera system. An onboard camera allows the aircrew to videotape activity unfolding on the terrain beneath the aircraft. Images recorded can be “down-linked” in real-time to the ground-based incident commanders to assist in managing critical police incidents.

• Special Flights Section: A section within Air Support Division that provides support to the investigative units within the Department with surveillance flights, transportation, etc.

• TFO: Tactical Flight Officer. One of two aircrew members on board the helicopter, the TFO is the “observer” or “spotter” who supports the ground-based officers during the resolution of police incidents by providing tactical advice, facilitating radio communication, organizing, and managing perimeters, coordinating suspect apprehension, etc.

• Moving Map: A global positioning system (GPS) map on board the aircraft which assists the aircrew in navigating to various locations and through the congested airspace in the greater Los Santos area. The moving map image is very similar to that of the Thomas Brothers Map Guide and is displayed on a monitor inside the aircraft.


310.11 SPCEMETROPOLITAN DIVISION:

K-9 PLATOON

• Alert: When a K-9 has located a scent.

• Contact Report: Report made by supervisor when a K-9 bites or contacts a suspect.

• Deployment Report: Report done by each handler when they use their dog for a search.

• Dogs: There are three types of dogs used by the LSPD K-9 Unit.
  1. Belgium Malinois
  2. “Dutch” Shepherd
  3. German Shepherd
• Fear Scent: Enhanced scent caused by adrenaline when a suspect is in “Fight of Flight” Syndrome.

• Full Alert: “Find and Bark” – What K-9s do when they locate a suspect, find them then bark to let handler know he has located suspect.

• Human Scent: Odor that every human body emits.

• K-9 Announcement: Announcement given prior to search starting either via Public Address system on black and white or by airship.

• Pin Pointing Scent: Once a K-9 has alerted to scent, his attempt to narrow down the scent to the eventual suspect’s location.

• Scent Cone: Scent emitting from suspect comes off in a cone shape.

• Work the scent: Same as Pin Pointing, act of locating suspect after locating scent.

METRO'S TACTICAL RESPONSE FORCE

• Counter Assault Team: A heavily armed team used on a mission-specific basis, when an armed assault is anticipated against officers, a
protectee or a protected location.

• Contact Team: A team of Metropolitan Division officers sometimes deployed in crowd control missions and generally armed with a larger quantity of less than lethal weapons than a normal squad. These officers are deployed at a critical point of contact where the application of additional less than lethal munitions can be expected to influence the outcome of the event.

• Grenadiers: Officers equipped with various types of less than lethal launchers, 37-mm, 40-mm launchers, and beanbag shotguns deployed with a skirmish line and utilized when the deployment of less than lethal munitions are necessary.

• Linebackers: Officers deployed immediately behind the skirmish line, controlling the integrity of the line.

• Skirmish Line: Basic formation used in the movement of a crowd.

• Tactical Support Element: A reinforced Metropolitan Division squad, task-organized with equipment selected based on the mission.

• Utilities: Tactical uniform worn by Metropolitan Division officers. Nomex coated for fire resistance, this uniform is worn when the mission requirements dictate a rough duty uniform to avoid unnecessary wear and tear on the regular uniform.

"A" PLATOON

• Primary responsibilities: Carrying out crime suppression missions.

• Selective enforcement details: Deployed in high-frequency crime areas, targeting repeat offenders and criminal predators.

• Types of crime: Burglary, robbery, auto theft, burglary/theft from a motor vehicle, etc...

• Special Details: VIP Dignitary Protection Detail, R-100 Protection Detail, Stakeouts, Warrant Service, Crowd Control.

"D" PLATOON (SWAT)

• Ballistic Shields: Equipment that retards bullet penetration, used in tactical movements, searches, and immediate response interventions.

• Breachers: Specialized mechanical entry tools and/or tactics.

• Breaching tools: Hand tools including sledge hammers, bolt cutters, rams, shotlock, and breaching poles used to open windows and doors.

• Ladders: Portable, collapsible ladders for access to roofs and attics.

• Lights and Mirrors: Battery-powered bright lights and corner and pole mirrors used for slow and deliberate searches for hiding suspects.

• Noise Flash Devices (NFD): A diversionary device that creates a loud sound and bright flash, usually tossed or thrown. (AKA “Flash-Bang”)

• Rescue Vehicle: A contemporary armed sport utility vehicle.

• Suburbans: Vehicle used for personnel transportation, also used for tactical “door/window pulling.”

• SWAT Truck: A 36-foot equipment transportation vehicle.

• Tear Gas: Delivered by 37-mm tear gas weapon thrown or tossed handheld canisters.

• Throw Phone: A portable hostage phone that can be delivered to a crisis site, having a “hard-line” that extends from the SWAT truck to the crisis site.


311. SPCETRAFFIC OPERATIONS

311.10 SPCECENTRAL TRAFFIC DIVISION:

• DUI T/C: A traffic collision where one of the involved parties is under the influence of an intoxicant.

• E-Unit or E car: Department personnel assigned to Central Traffic Division whose primary duty is traffic enforcement. E-Unit officers work in a four-wheel vehicle as opposed to traffic enforcement officers who work on motorcycles.

• Fatal T/C: A traffic collision involving a fatality.

• Locked Wheel Tire Marks: Tire marks left by a vehicle that was braking in a straight line.

• Major Injury T/C: A traffic collision where a person received incapacitating injuries including broken bones.

• Yaw Marks: Tire marks left by a vehicle that was braking while turning.
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MEDIA RELATIONS DIVISION
Administrative Service Bureau
Los Santos Police Department — "To Protect and to Serve"
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