Understanding the Police Beat

By Jennifer Brannock Cox

Beginning the Beat

• Meet the PIO

• Tour the facility

• Do a “ride along”

• Familiarize yourself with police scanner and codes

• Make a list of contacts, including cell phones and pagers

• Always keep your car filled with gas

Understanding Terminology• Burglary –• “entering a building and remaining

unlawfully with the intention of committing a crime.”

• Larceny – • “the wrongful taking of property.”

• Theft –• “larceny that did not involve threat,

violence or plundering.”

• Robbery –• “the use of violence to plunder or rifle.”• May or may not involve another person

Understanding Terminology

• Homicide –• “legal term for slaying or killing.”

• Murder –• “malicious, premeditated homicide.”• Do not write that a victim was

“murdered” unless officials confirm the killing was premeditated

• Manslaughter –• “homicide without malice or

premeditation.”

Understanding Terminology

• Police Department – police

• Sheriff’s Office – deputies

• Highway Patrol – troopers

• Others – see “military titles” in AP Style

• All – officers

Types of Stories

• Breaking news• Crime• Fire• Emergencies

• Enterprise stories• Profiles• Crime prevention and tips• Trends

• Organizational news• Promotions• Officials breaking rules

Getting Access

• You have the right to:• View/copy booking sheets• View/copy police reports• Publish mug shots• Any public forum

• Without permission, you do not have a right to:

• Private property, including jails, schools and points beyond airport security

• Redacted information• Names of minors, social security numbers, some items

under investigation

Safety

• Listen to officers

• Keep in touch with editors

• Abide by the law

• Wear appropriate clothing

• Make good decisions

Breaking News Online• Get the initial facts

confirmed, posted quickly

• Post changes remotely via Twitter or blog

• Keep in touch with sources, editors

• Look for details to add to second-day story

Understanding the Police Beat

By Jennifer Brannock Cox