NCJ Number
6906
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 38 Issue: 6 Dated: (JUNE 1969) Pages: 6-8
Date Published
1969
Length
3 pages
Annotation
PUBLIC ACCESS TO POLICE BLOTTERS IS NOT A QUESTION OF LAW BUT ONE OF CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING THE INDIVIDUAL CASE.
Abstract
A POLICE BLOTTER MAY BE CHARACTERIZED AS BOOK OR AN INDEX WHICH CONTAINS A PERMANENT, CHRONOLOGICAL RECORD OF EVERY OFFICIAL ACT THAT COMES BEFORE THE POLICE OFFICER IN CHARGE OF THE DESK. SUCH AN INDEX IS A SKELETON REPORT OF A PRECINCT OR STATION ACTIVITIES FOR A GIVEN PERIOD OF TIME. POLICE ARE NOT REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN THESE RECORDS. RIGHT TO KNOW LAWS APPLY ONLY TO PUBLIC RECORDS WHICH ARE REQUIRED TO BE MAINTAINED AND ARE NOT APPLICABLE TO POLICE BLOTTERS. THE REAL ISSUE IS NOT ONE OF LAW, BUT ONE OF MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE PRESS AND THE POLICE. IF THERE IS THIS UNDERSTANDING AND COOPERATION, THE POLICE WILL NORMALLY BE INCLINED TO PROVIDE THE PRESS ALL THE INFORMATION POSSIBLE. AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED