Striking a balance: An inquiry into media access to police radio communications

Summary

The report's own summary: SUMMARY, page 13

In the body's own words

1. Recommendation

   That the QPS take all necessary steps to safeguard the privacy of individuals by ensuring that information identifying a person be excluded from the dispatch data-feed.

   Striking a balance: An inquiry into media access to police radio communications (9 December 2004), page 15

2. Recommendation

   That the establishment and ongoing costs associated with the delivery of the dispatch data-feed and media notes be met by the QPS.

   Striking a balance: An inquiry into media access to police radio communications (9 December 2004), page 15

Findings, opinions and statements

Allegations are not findings. A commission's finding or opinion of corrupt conduct or misconduct is not a finding that a person is guilty of a criminal offence, and the commissions say so in their reports.

No findings are reproduced in this record. This does not establish that the report contains none.

Recommendations 14

1. Recommendation 1

   That the Queensland Police Service (QPS) develop the capability to provide secure electronic transfer of information about operational police activity via a direct data-feed from the police computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system to authorised media outlets.

   Report, page 14

2. Recommendation 2

   That the Commissioner, QPS, authorise media organisations that are involved in providing current news reports to the public to receive access to the dispatch data-feed, subject to compliance with arrangements for the secure receipt of the data-feed.

   Report, page 14

3. Recommendation 3

   That information provided via the dispatch data-feed be protected by secure processes that ensure access is available only to authorised media organisations.

   Report, page 14

4. Recommendation 4

   That the QPS release information by direct data-feed dispatch about all job types, with the following exceptions: A Job types to be excluded • mentally ill person • offences against children • shop-steal child • absconder hospital/institution • absconder juvenile • rape • attempted rape • indecent assault • wilful exposure • indecent acts • domestic violence • suspect terrorist activity B Job types to be released after a one-hour delay • armed person • siege • shots fired • hijack • hostage taken • bomb threat • sudden death C Discretionary delay • Authority to withhold or exclude a job from release should reside with the Duty Officer, Police Communications Centre and be based on documented compelling and demonstrable public safety or police safety reasons.

   Report, page 14

5. Recommendation 5

   That the release of information by the dispatch data-feed include the following CAD information fields: • job number • initial job code • verified job code • time call received • street (but not street number) • suburb • time crews dispatched • priority rating.

   Report, page 15

6. Recommendation 6

   That the dispatch data-feed display all jobs, numbered in sequence, in order to facilitate monitoring and auditing of the system. When job information is being withheld or delayed in accordance with Recommendation 4, the data-feed will record the job number and the exception category (A, B or C) relied upon from Recommendation 4.

   Report, page 15

7. Recommendation 7

   That the delivery of information by the dispatch data-feed occur in as close to real time as current technology allows, subject to the limited exceptions identified in Recommendation 4.

   Report, page 15

8. Recommendation 8

   That the QPS take all necessary steps to safeguard the privacy of individuals by ensuring that information identifying a person be excluded from the dispatch data-feed.

   Report, page 15

9. Recommendation 9

   That QPS media liaison staff attach timely media notes to data-feed entries for jobs of high public interest.

   Report, page 15

10. Recommendation 10

    That fully trained staff dedicated to the purpose be assigned to monitor the dispatch data-feed and, where appropriate, add value by providing media notes.

    Report, page 15

11. Recommendation 11

    That the establishment and ongoing costs associated with the delivery of the dispatch data-feed and media notes be met by the QPS.

    Report, page 15

12. Recommendation 12

    That the cost of receiving and accessing information on the dispatch data- feed be met by the user media organisations.

    Report, page 15

13. Recommendation 13

    That the Commissioner, Queensland Police Service, invite news directors/ editors (or delegates) of media outlets with authorised access to the dispatch data-feed, and representatives of media peak bodies, to form a joint committee to meet on a regular and continuing basis, to provide opportunities for ongoing dialogue between the major stakeholders and to provide a forum to consider any concerns raised by stakeholders, including media organisations refused authorisation by the Commissioner.

    Report, page 15

14. Recommendation 14

    That a dispatch data-feed model similar to that recommended for the Brisbane metropolitan area be introduced in other police regions simultaneously with the introduction of secure digital communications, to the extent that is technically feasible.

    Report, page 16

Published responses

No published response was found.

Coverage

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