with emergency or criminal investigation operations. All information released to the media should be coordinated through the Sheriff or other designated spokesperson.
325.6.1 CRITICAL OPERATIONS
A critical incident or tactical operation should be handled in the same manner as a crime scene, except the media should not be permitted within the inner perimeter of the incident, subject to any restrictions as determined by the supervisor in charge. Sheriff's Office members shall not jeopardize a critical incident or tactical operation in order to accommodate the media. All comments to the media shall be coordinated through a supervisor or the Sheriff.
325.6.2 TEMPORARY FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS
Whenever the presence of media or other aircraft pose a threat to public or member safety or significantly hamper incident operations, the field supervisor should consider requesting a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR). All requests for a TFR should be routed through the Supervisor. The TFR request should include specific information regarding the perimeter and altitude necessary for the incident and should be requested through the appropriate control tower. If the control tower is not known, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) should be contacted (14 CFR 91.137).
325.7 CONFIDENTIAL OR RESTRICTED INFORMATION
It shall be the responsibility of the Sheriff to ensure that confidential or restricted information is not inappropriately released to the media (see the Records Maintenance and Release and Personnel Records policies). When in doubt, authorized and available legal counsel should be consulted prior to releasing any information.
325.7.1 EMPLOYEE INFORMATION
The identities of deputies involved in shootings or other critical incidents may only be released to the media upon the consent of the involved deputy or upon a formal request filed.
Any requests for copies of related reports or additional information not contained in the information log (see the Information Log section in this policy), including the identity of deputies involved in shootings or other critical incidents, shall be referred to the Sheriff.
Requests should be reviewed and fulfilled by the Custodian of Records, or if unavailable, the Supervisor or the authorized designee. Such requests will be processed in accordance with the provisions of the Records Maintenance and Release Policy and the Indiana Public Records Act (I.C. § 5-14-3-1 et seq.).