(A) Release of information.
(1) All news releases, records, and reports produced and kept by the town shall be bound by the provisions of I.C. 5-14-3 (access to public records). Records for which access is permitted shall be equally available to all news media persons.
(2) Information may be released on a daily, monthly, or as-needed basis. Information which may be released as-needed includes:
(a) Major crimes of interest (homicides, robbery, rape, burglary, child abuse, and the like);
(b) Traffic accidents when there is a fatality, major injury, and/or a large amount of property damage;
(c) Major renovations or improvement projects within the town; and
(d) Employees involved with the activities in divisions (A)(2)(a) through (A)(2)(c) above.
(B) News release.
(1) Media new items or releases shall be submitted from the scene of major happenings to the Town Council President as soon as possible. Upon receipt of information to be reported to the news media, the Town Council President shall make notification to the appropriate media.
(2) News information may be released in one of the following ways.
(a) Employees, if contacted by a member of the media, may make immediate response with information on minor incident investigations, accident investigations, and the like, after proper notification has been made where necessary, and not jeopardizing possible prosecution.
(b) Only the Town Council’s authorization can release news releases of specific information of major crimes or incidents of major importance. However, town employees may confirm confirmation to media of a major crime or incident occurrence.
(c) The Town Council President may release news releases pertaining to activities of the town that may be newsworthy.
(3) Notification of the media shall be made to all local newspapers, radio, and television stations whenever a news release is to be made. Reports of great interest or major proportions will be submitted immediately to the Indianapolis Office of Associated Press (AP) Wire Service, and the UPI Wire Service.
Contact AP Wire at
info@ap.org. |
Contact UPI Wire at 1-800-382-4877. |
(4) In most instances, the media through prepared town news releases and copies of offense and accident reports may access information. News media members will not be permitted into files, desks, or basket papers. Sensitive reports may be stamped “no press,” and sensitive or confidential case reports will not be discussed with or in the presence of media members.
(5) News media members shall not be in a position to interfere with town operations at the scene of an incident.
(6) The provisions of I.C. 5-14-3 shall govern news media access to information regarding criminal investigations.
(C) Town Council members and town employees.
(1) Town Council members and town employees shall not publicly criticize or ridicule the town, its policies, or other Council members or employees by speech, writing, or other expression where such speech, writing, or other expression is defamatory, obscene and unlawful, undermines the effectiveness of this town, interferes with the maintenance of discipline, or is made with the reckless disregard for truth or falsity.
(2) Town Council members and town employees shall not address public gatherings, appear on radio or television, prepare any articles for publication, act as correspondents to a newspaper or periodical, release or divulge investigative information or any other matters of the town while holding themselves out as representing the town in such matters without proper authority. Employees may lecture on town or other related subjects only with the prior written approval of the Town Council.
(3) Town Council members and town employees shall treat the official business of the town as confidential. Information shall be disseminated only to those for whom it is intended. Employees may remove or copy official records or reports only for official use. Employees shall not divulge the identity of persons giving confidential information except as authorized by property authority in the performance of his or her duties. Internal investigations involving the town, its personnel or policies, shall not be divulged and shall be kept confidential except as authorized by the Town Council.
(4) Town Council members and town employees shall not reveal the names, addresses, Social Security numbers, or telephone numbers of any Council member, employee of the town, or prior Council member.
(5) Town Council members and town employees shall not reveal investigatory records of the town which includes written reports, witness statements, photographs, or voice recordings except as authorized by the Town Marshal and/or Town Council.
(6) Town Council members and town employees shall not reveal or disclose in any form testing materials, test scores, test questions, and/or test scoring keys to any third party.
(7) Town Council members and town employees shall not disclose personnel information or applicant information to any third party.
(8) Town Council members and town employees shall not disclose or publish in any form photographs, a video recording, or an audio recording of any autopsy.
(9) Town Council members and town employees shall not disclose or publish any material from a personnel file unless specifically authorized by the Town Council or Town Marshal.
(10) Town Council members and town employees shall not disclose any information that could compromise the safety and security of the County Jail.
(11) Town Council members and town employees shall not surreptitiously record any conversation, telephone call, and/or conversation between any member of the Town Council or town employee for the purpose of releasing such information into a public domain, use by a private investigator, or for use by any criminal defense attorney.
(12) Town Council members and town employees shall not disclose or publish in any form photographs, a video recording, or an audio recording that subjects the town to ridicule, public embarrassment, or undermines the good order and discipline of the town.
(Ord. 2017-12, passed 12-11-2017; Ord. 2024-5, passed 9-10-2024)