Media Relations Division

History of MRD

Prior to the late 1950s, the Los Angeles Police Department had no central location from which members of the media could obtain information regarding the various newsworthy events in which the Department had played a part. As a result, individual members of the media and the Department were often parties to news gathering endeavors that resulted in hastily assembled, disjointed and often contradictory stories disseminated to the public.

Following a series of negative events involving the Department, which were reported by the media within traditional and accepted journalistic practices, a need was identified that involved providing the media with easy access to accurate information relative to Department activities. This need was acted upon and the eventual creation of the Media Relations Division (MRD) was the result.

In its present form, MRD fosters cooperation and mutual respect between the Department and the news media. The Police Department actively pursues, cultivates, and encourages an open and responsive relationship with the media; MRS is the vehicle by which it does so. As a world-famous capital, Los Angeles generates news with far-reaching interest. The resultant inquiries by worldwide media for specialized information and assistance concerning specific news assignments are routed to MRD for action. Certain other requests for assistance by motion picture/television writers, directors, producers, etc. may be handled by MRS personnel.

Facts About MRD

• MRD is staffed from 5:00 a.m. until 11:00 pm. Either the Officer in Charge or his or her assistant is available on a 24-hour daily basis to respond to serious major incidents to assist field commanders with the press corps.
• Liaison with all major media outlets regardless of language, cultural, or lifestyle orientation/affiliation is maintained by MRD.
• News releases that include telephone contacts within the Department are issued by MRD to facilitate the dissemination of news citywide.
• Press conferences are coordinated on a Department-wide basis.
• MRD personnel are available to assist members of the public with questions about the Department if the information is not available on the web site.
• Personnel from MRD can facilitate media interview access to Department employees and/or assist with gaining entry to police stations, the headquarters building or other locations housing police personnel and equipment.
• Staffing for the City’s Emergency Operations Center, Public Information Officer position is provided by MRD.
• Providing information about how to obtain media passes which permit entry across police lines to report the news is a function of MRD.
• MRD deploys officers who are proficient in foreign languages to assist the media and members of the Department or the public.
• Complaints received from any Department source concerning the media, such as interfering with an investigation or destruction of evidence through contamination of a crime scene, are handled by MRD.
• MRD provides local electronic media outlets with specialized material of general interest to the public for use during highly competitive “sweeps weeks” in which comparative determinations of the market share of the viewing public are ascertained.
• Semi-annual meetings between the media and the Chief of Police are coordinated by MRD. The purpose of these meetings is to discuss problems in the spirit of mutual cooperation.
• MRD provides training to sergeant, detective, and watch commander in-service schools on media relations. Specialized training for the media is available by request as is roll call training in media relations for Department personnel.