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WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR HOME AFFAIRS BY DEPUTY G.C.L. BAUDAINS OF ST. CLEMENT
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 13th MAY 2008
Question
Would the Minister advise members how frequently the States of Jersey Police produce press releases for the local media, the level of detail and the approximate quantity provided and approximately how many hours per week are employed in preparing this material?
Answer
The States of Jersey Police currently employs one full time civilian media and public information officer on a civil service grade 9.
It is the policy of the States of Jersey Police that press appeals should be as detailed as possible in order to bring witnesses forward and to be open with the media. Information is held back in a press release only if it operationally sensitive or confidential. It is hard to calculate the amount of time spent on this task per week as it fluctuates according to the number and type of incidents the Force attends but annual figures are given below.
In addition, the media relations officers' role includes maintaining the States of Jersey Police website and the production of community safety publicity. During an operational event the press officer is required to act as a "buffer" between the media and operational officers thereby enabling investigators to concentrate on their core task.
The press officer works Monday-Friday office hours and otherwise, on occasions, as directed. Out of hours media handling is dealt with by the Duty Officer, normally of Inspector rank.
The following statistics indicate recent levels of releases:
In 2007 approximately 190 formal media releases were made. It should be noted that this total does not include individual email or phone replies to media which come in throughout the day. In 2007 the States of Jersey Police Press Office answered 6,494 calls directly and in addition responded to numerous messages.
So far this year, the force has sent out 64 releases to the media, plus a further 50 relating solely to the ongoing Historical Abuse Enquiry.