An Idaho police department has prohibited its officers from speaking to reporters who call on weekends under a new policy that went into effect on Monday.
Lewiston Police Chief Chris Ankeny told the Lewiston Tribune Thursday that the change is needed because there isn’t enough staff to answer press inquiries between Friday and Sunday. Under the policy, reporters must arrive at the crime scene to get a “sound bite” or brief synopsis from an officer.
Dispatchers are also barred from providing reporters with information. Previously, officers fielded calls from reporters at their convenience during the weekend hours.
Ankeny said the move would “improve information flow and ensure accurate, timely and transparent reporting of information.”
City Councilman Jesse Maldonado called the new policy disquieting.
“City residents reading the newspaper, their interest doesn’t stop on Friday,” he said. “That’s just not how it works.”
The new policy also mandates that reporters submit written questions between noon and 1 p.m. Monday through Friday to allow officers time to research and provide accurate answers.
