Captain King. Yes; we had a general order in the department which in very brief and very general terms set forth a policy of the department so far as their relations with the press was concerned. We had published prior to that time a memorandum from the chief setting forth what the policy of the department would be. Briefly stated, it was the policy that we would render any possible assistance to the press except that assistance which would seriously interfere with any investigation that we had underway. This policy made it the responsibility of each officer of the department to do this.
My office is the press relations office, but my office is not the only place in the department where a newsman could get information. It was the responsibility of each member of the department to furnish to the press information on incidents in which they, themselves, were involved, except on matters which involved departmental personnel policies of the department, or, as I said, unless it would obviously interfere with an investigation underway.
Mr. Hubert. In the latter case, if it would interfere with an investigation underway, what was the policy then?
Captain King. If it would interfere, then it was the policy that the information would be withheld.
Mr. Hubert. And the press then would simply not be told or be sent away, as it were?
Captain King. It would be withheld from the press; yes.
Mr. Hubert. And you say that that was the general policy, not merely with respect to your relations with the press, but with every police officer’s relations with the press?
Captain King. That’s correct; yes.
Mr. Hubert. Was it your duty to enforce that policy in the event you saw it was being disrupted; that is to say, in the event you observed that press relationship was interfering with an investigation?
Captain King. It would be—probably; yes, sir.