Law enforcement agencies have an obligation to communicate with the public about their operations to maintain transparency and public trust. They must balance this duty with safeguarding confidential information. Developing a media plan for high-profile operations can help provide sufficient information to minimize public disruption and speculation while presenting the agency's perspective. Without a media plan, there is a risk of inconsistent messages, media interference, and damage to investigations if information updates are delayed. When speaking to the media, agencies must consider whether discussions are on or off the record and follow principles of being fair, accurate, relevant and timely.

1. Do law enforcement agencies have an
obligation to communicate?
22.02.2018, Riga
Iveta Kažoka, director of Centre for Public Policy PROVIDUS
2-day seminar on Raising of Awareness as an
Effective Tool to Prevent Fraud and
Corruption

2. Duty to be open
and transparent
Duty to
safeguard
confidentiality
and integrity of
information

3. «When practicable,
a clear and factual account of the operation
should be provided at the earliest opportunity,
while taking care to avoid compromising the
operation in any way»
College of Policing, UK, Communication guidance

4. Communication with public/media should be
high priority even in strategic and tactical planning
Develop a media plan for high-profile operations in order to:
• provide the public with sufficient information (to minimise disruption)
• provide your agency’s own perspective on the event
• maximise public confidence that your agency knows what it is doing

5. What are the risks if there is no media plan?
• False and/or inconsistent messages (especially when multiple
agencies are involved)
• Delays in info updates might lead to public speculations that might be
damaging to suspects/witnesses/victims involved
• Media starting their own investigations that interfere with the
operation
• Undermining legal proceedings

6. Talking to media
• On the record or off the record
• Who is talking?
• Who is a journalist?
• Exclusives: to what extent are they permissible?
• Key principles: fair, accurate, relevant, timely