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Home My WebLink AboutIR 184 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 22-184 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council December 6, 2022 pdT�A4 Opp ° Page 1 of 3 i i7 Y rrn SUBJECT: REASONABLE DISTANCES FROM WHICH RESIDENTS MAY OBSERVE POLICE ACTIVITY AT CRIME SCENES AND TRAFFIC STOPS The purpose of this report is to provide the City Council with information regarding the Fort Worth Police Department's policy for establishing reasonable distances when setting a perimeter for a crime scene and/or a traffic stop. The Fort Worth Police department has several policies regarding the need to set a security perimeter to restrict access in order to provide a safe area for law enforcement to keep everyone safe or to protect evidence of a crime; however, there is no specific requirement on how large or small each perimeter should be because each situation is different. It is important to note that perimeter requirements do not change just because a person is recording, as long as the individual is recording from a public space. However, that could change under certain circumstances. For example, exceptions include providing for the security of officers who are about to force entry into a location, an active shooter incident where innocent citizens are in jeopardy, or any active crime scene. Policy Regarding Scene Security The following are references to General Orders that deal with scene security. • 302.3 Active Shooter Response - Contact Team Response D. Contact Team Response 3. An inner perimeter shall be established to control access to and egress from the target location. Civilians should be directed out of the inner perimeter to a designated secure location for identification and debriefing. • 307.01 SWAT - Initial Response C. The highest-ranking supervisor at the scene shall assume overall responsibility to ensure that the operations under their direct control are conducted in the manner best suited for the successful conclusion of the incident. The primary responsibilities of patrol at these type situations are to: 1. Ensure that SWAT has been notified and is enroute. 2. Establish and maintain an outer perimeter sufficient to contain an inner perimeter of appropriate size for SWAT operations, and assure a sufficient number of officers are present to exclude unauthorized persons. 3. Attempt to gather information which shall be of assistance to SWAT officers upon their arrival. 4. Establish a command post at a safe location between the inner and outer perimeters. 5. Ensure communications is advised to immediately make the proper notifications. Establish a staging area for representatives of the media to be located in a safe location. Handle all media requests until the arrival of a member of the Public Relations Office. • 307.02 SWAT - Operational Development C. The SWAT lieutenant, or designee, shall establish an inner perimeter and alternate command posts for tactical operations in accordance with SWAT's standard operating procedures. • 325.01 Aggravated Robbery - Initial Police Action I. If the robbery becomes a hostage situation, the officers shall follow the department's procedure for the handling of hostage situations and attempt to maintain control of the scene. Officers shall establish an outer perimeter appropriate for the situation, until SWAT arrives ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 22-184 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council December 6, 2022 pdT�A4 Opp ° Page 2 of 3 i i7 Y rrn SUBJECT: REASONABLE DISTANCES FROM WHICH RESIDENTS MAY OBSERVE POLICE ACTIVITY AT CRIME SCENES AND TRAFFIC STOPS to negotiate the release of the hostages. The safety of the hostages shall remain the first priority of those officers responding to this or any similar situation. • 356.05 Critical Police Incident - Field Responsibility A. Initial responding units shall: 3. Ensure the crime scene is properly identified and protected. If needed, request additional personnel. The crime scene perimeter should be of sufficient size to provide safety, security, and confidentiality. 4. Identify, protect, and secure all evidence at the scene. Do not move anything unless absolutely necessary. 5. If inside the inner perimeter of the identified crime scene, exit as soon as possible. 6. If in charge of the Crime Scene Log, or if guarding the inner perimeter, make certain that anyone attempting to enter the inner crime scene perimeter has a legitimate investigative purpose for doing so. Policy Regarding Filming or Photography Currently, the Fort Worth Police Department has General Orders that address the rights of the media during police investigations. These General Orders are also applicable to citizens in these situations. The policies do not change because an individual is filming. • 212.01 Philosophy.- It is the philosophy of the Fort Worth Police Department to establish and maintain an open and cooperative environment in which members of the public may obtain timely and accurate information on all matters of public interest in a manner that does not jeopardize police operations. The relationship of all department employees with the public shall be helpful, cordial, and polite, with appropriate care taken so as to not jeopardize or compromise the successful completion of any administrative or law. • 212.03 Major Incidents A. Media representatives displaying appropriate press credentials shall be allowed immediate access to an area adjacent to the command post in unusual events such as natural disasters, hostage situations, civil disorders, fires, explosions, plane crashes, and other circumstances which the ranking officer in charge of the scene shall determine. B. The ranking officer on the scene shall determine when less restrictive access by media representatives shall be allowed. Under no circumstances shall media representatives be permitted to interfere with command post functions. Access shall be denied to areas other than the command post location when, in the ranking officer's opinion, allowing access would interfere with the police operation or expose them to danger. • 212.06 Photographs and Interviews A. Photographs may be taken in or from any public access areas. Officers may restrict or prohibit the use of flash, strobes, or other bright lighting when their use might hinder police operations. B. Officers shall not interfere with the photographer taking a picture of a prisoner under normal circumstances. Juvenile suspects shall not be photographed by any persons other than police officers as part of an official investigation. Other juveniles shall not be photographed unless in public areas. C. Photographing of suspects or witnesses shall not be permitted in the work areas of police facilities. ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 22-184 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council December 6, 2022 pdT�A4 Opp ° Page 3 of 3 i i7 Y rrn SUBJECT: REASONABLE DISTANCES FROM WHICH RESIDENTS MAY OBSERVE POLICE ACTIVITY AT CRIME SCENES AND TRAFFIC STOPS In summary, the Fort Worth Police Department will continue to follow its General Orders, relevant state law, and court decisions in reference to reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions whether it involves a crime scene, major incident, or citizens recording officers performing their duties. The Fort Worth Police Department's policies are current and in compliance with current court rulings. However, we will adjust our policies if future court decisions reverse the current legal standard. If you have any questions about this information, please contact Executive Assistant Chief Robert Alldredge at 817-392-4131. David Cooke City Manager ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS