[Information] Press Pass Policy

[Police Department]

1. PRESS PASS CARD INFORMATION

• The LSPD recognizes the press as an essential partner in informing the community. Media outlets provide the public with a direct view of police activity, community safety efforts, and Department updates. The Media Relations Division works closely with reporters and news agencies to provide accurate information, answer inquiries, and maintain open lines of communication on behalf of the Department.
  
  Media Relations Section (MRS): Drafts news releases and advisories, ensuring transparency in Department updates.
  Community Affairs Section (CAS): Hosts and coordinates events, promoting outreach and community engagement.
  Public Information Section (PIS): Handles public inquiries and provides spokesperson services on behalf of the Department.
  
  Together, these sections ensure the Department is accessible, accountable, and connected to the people of Los Santos.
  
  The purpose of the Press Pass is to provide exclusive access to the LSPD that is otherwise not granted by the LSPD ride-along program for approved members of the media or for the purpose of gathering information for media-related purposes.
  
  NOTE: Possessing such cards does not currently permit the bearer thereof to pass through established police and fire lines to cover news events occurring behind such lines.

2. REQUIREMENTS

• In order to qualify, the cardholder must be a currently employed member of a recognized news network or an active independent journalist who is consistently producing and publishing factual news content for the citizens of San Andreas.
  
  The cardholder must regularly cover news events involving police operations involving the Police Department within the City of Los Santos.
  
  Due to the exclusive access, the cardholder may not, previously, or during the duration of the Press Pass been charged with any serious felonies or violent crimes specified in the San Andreas Penal Code.
  
  Any person in possession of a card must conduct their ride-along with a current member of the Media Relations Division or any Police Supervisor of the Los Santos Police Department, as approved by Media Relations Command.

3. DURING A PRESS PASS RIDE-ALONG

• Participants must remember to bring their Press Pass as well as a valid form of identification so that officers can identify them prior to a ride-along. Weapons of any kind must be left at home by the participant. Alternatively, weapons will be secured at the police station to be retrieved once the ride-along has been concluded.
  
  When a member of the media partakes in a ride-along with the Los Santos Police Department, they must have accepted the risks and signed the liability waiver, meaning that they release and waive any claims they have, and agree to hold harmless the State of San Andreas, the Los Santos Police Department, their employees, from any and all liability for any loss of life, bodily injury, property damage, or any claim whatsoever, which they may sustain while riding in or upon said motor vehicles and which they may receive while accompanying an officer of the Los Santos Police Department, regardless of the cause of such damage or injury, whether through negligence or otherwise. They agree to assume all risks in riding in Los Santos Police Department's motor vehicles and in accompanying its officers and they are fully aware that personal danger may be involved. They further promise that they have read and fully understand all ride-along regulations.
  
  Due to the sensitive nature of ongoing investigations or other internal factions, the LSPD reserves the right to restrict some information from being made public. The media collected may be subject to review before publishing. A violation may result in the revocation of the Press Pass.

4. PRESS PASS DENIAL OR REVOCATION

• The Press Pass is and will remain the property of the Los Santos Police Department upon issuance and may be subject to denial or revocation. Due to the exclusive access the Press Pass provides, The Los Santos Police Department, in the exercise of its reasonable discretion, reserves the right to, at any point, deny a request for or revoke Press Pass, with or without prior notice, for reasons including, but not limited to, the following:
  1. Any violation of the current LSPD Ride-Along policy.
  2. If the cardholder has been charged with any serious felonies or violent crimes specified in the San Andreas Penal Code within the last 12 months.
  3. Use of the Press Pass with a non-Supervisor or non-Media Relations Department Member.
  4. If the cardholder has any known (past or present) Gang Affiliation under GND's discretion.
  5. If the Department determines that the cardholder has abused their card authority.
  6. If the cardholder has used their card with the purpose of attempting to commit or committing a crime, or with the purpose of deceiving another person.
  7. If the cardholder has previously violated the terms of the Los Santos Police Department's Ride-Along Program.
  8. The applicant has provided false or misleading statement(s) on their application.
  9. If the cardholder is no longer employed with a news agency, or their duties no longer require them to maintain a card with the Department.

5. LOSS/THEFT OF MEDIA CARD, CHANGE OF EMPLOYMENT, NO LONGER EMPLOYED BY NEWS AGENCY

• If the media card is lost or stolen, the cardholder or their employer must report the media card lost/stolen to a policing agency. A copy of the report must be provided to the LSPD Media Relations Division before a new media card will be issued.
  
  If the media cardholder changes employer, the holder must notify the LSPD Media Relations Division of the change. If the Press Pass holder is no longer employed with the news organization through which the media card was obtained, the media card must be surrendered to Media Relations Division immediately.

6. OBTAINING A NEWS MEDIA IDENTIFICATION CARD

• To obtain a Los Santos Police Department News Media Identification Card, any individual must:
  1. Complete the News Media Identification Card Application form found under "NEWS MEDIA IDENTIFICATION CARD APPLICATION FORM". The application must be complete and signed in order to be considered. Failure to do so could result in delays or denial of an application.
  2. Provide a letter on original business letterhead, signed by the news director, editor, or person in charge, stating that the applicant is an employee of the news organization and an employee who regularly covers news events involving police operations in the City of Los Santos in the application form (press here for an example).
  3. Submit this application in the Press Pass Applications section, making a post only consisting of the application form with all questions filled out. This topic must be conforming to the topic title format outlined under "NEWS MEDIA IDENTIFICATION CARD APPLICATION FORM" and must not be e-mailed.
  4. The application and attached documents will be reviewed by the Media Relations Division, and the applicant will be contacted with the outcome of their application.

7. NEWS MEDIA IDENTIFICATION CARD APPLICATION FORM

• TOPIC TITLE:

  Firstname Lastname

  
  APPLICATION FORM:

  Code: Select all

  [img]https://i.ibb.co/cSD3G3QB/Xt3vxAZ.png[/img]
  
  [lspdsubtitle]1. PERSONAL DETAILS[/lspdsubtitle]
  [divbox=white][list=none]
  
  [b]1.1 Full Name:[/b] Firstname Lastname
  [b]1.2 Date of Birth:[/b] DD/MON/YYYY
  [b]1.3 Phone Number:[/b] ####
  [b]1.4 Residential Address:[/b] Answer
  [b]1.5 Do you have any prior convictions within the last 12 months?:[/b] Y/N (If yes, please note there is a 12 month wait period between last date of conviction and the application for a Press Pass at this time.):
  
  [/list][/divbox]
  
  [lspdsubtitle]2. EMPLOYMENT DETAILS[/lspdsubtitle]
  [divbox=white][list=none]
  
  [b]2.1 Employer:[/b] Answer
  [b]2.2 Position/Job Title:[/b] Answer
  [b]2.3 Business Address:[/b] Answer
  
  [b]2.4 Provide a description of your job duties as it applies to the need for an LSPD media card:[/b]
  [list=none]
  Answer Here
  [/list]
  
  [/list][/divbox]
  
  [lspdsubtitle]3. FORM ATTACHMENTS[/lspdsubtitle]
  [divbox=white][list=none]
  [b]3.1 Provide a passport photograph ([url=https://i.ibb.co/XrnjKyXN/aXycPgQ.png]press here for an example[/url]):[/b]
  [size=85]Your photo should have the front of your face and your shoulders visible. The photograph [u]SHOULD NOT[/u] include hats, glasses, or any facial obstruction.[/size]
  
  [list=none]
  [url=PASTE LINK HERE] ATTACHED DOCUMENT - PASSPORT PHOTO [/url]
  [/list]
  
  
  [b]3.2 Proof of Identification ([url=https://i.ibb.co/601X3z4f/ooTEaT8.png]press here for an example[/url]):[/b]
  
  [list=none]
  [url=PASTE LINK HERE] ATTACHED DOCUMENT - PROOF OF IDENTIFICATION [/url]
  [/list]
  
  
  [b]3.3 Proof of Employment ([url=https://i.ibb.co/dsR1N9Fs/NMxHJpt.png]press here for an example[/url]):[/b]
  
  [list=none]
  [url=PASTE LINK HERE] ATTACHED DOCUMENT - PROOF OF EMPLOYMENT [/url]
  [/list]
  
  
  [b]3.4 Provide a letter on original business letterhead, signed by the news director, editor, or person in charge, stating that the applicant is an employee of the news organization and an employee who regularly covers news events involving police operations in the City of Los Santos ([url=https://i.ibb.co/S7vvxcnM/yd69iz0.png]presss here for an example[/url]):[/b]
  
  [list=none]
  [url=PASTE LINK HERE] ATTACHED DOCUMENT - LETTER [/url]
  [/list]
  
  [/list][/divbox]
  
  [lspdsubtitle]4. AGREEMENT[/lspdsubtitle]
  [divbox=white]
  
  [divbox=#ffffde]I, the undersigned, hereby certify that I have carefully read the information submitted on this application and that it is true and complete. I understand any false information or withholding of information is grounds for the denial or revocation of my LSPD News Media Identification Card. I understand and agree to abide by all guidelines and information established in the Press Pass Policy informational topic. 
  
  I hereby release and agree to hold harmless the State of San Andreas, the Los Santos Police Department, their employees, from any and all liability for any loss of life, bodily injury, property damage, or any claim whatsoever, which I may sustain while riding in or upon said motor vehicles and which I may receive while accompanying an officer of the Los Santos Police Department, regardless of the cause of such damage or injury, whether through negligence or otherwise.
  
  I agree to assume all risks in riding in Los Santos Police Department's motor vehicles and in accompanying its officers and I am fully aware that personal danger may be involved. I further promise that I have read and fully understand all ride-along regulations.[/divbox][list=none]
  
  [b]4.1 Signature:[/b] [i][font=Bradley Hand ITC] Firstname Lastname [/font][/i]
  [b]4.2 Date Signed:[/b] DD/MON/YYYY
  
  [/list][/divbox]
  
  [lspdfooter][/lspdfooter]