Public information management – a comparative analysis of three law enforcement agencies in the state of texas, usa

Abstract

Throughout the USA law enforcement agencies recognise the importance of the public information office (PIO), as a conduit for information release. The PIO is of use to the police as a device for information management; and to journalists who benefit through the steady, regular and guaranteed flow of material which forms the basis of their media messages. Where reporter and police personnel meet there is thus an interface ‐ a key area in the production of crime news. This paper suggests that where practicable this interface will continue since it is of mutual benefit to both the givers and receivers of information. But the style and policy of information release of each law enforcement agency will depend on certain factors and influences. To illustrate this view three law enforcement agencies in the state of Texas were taken as the focal points for this paper.