Journalists Talk FOI Changes at CTSPJ Forum

The public has more clear access to certain police records with the passage of Public Act 15-164. FOI public information advocate Tom Hennick and former South Windsor Police Chief Matthew Reed talked with CTSPJ Vice President Michael Savino and a group of about 20 journalists on Jan. 14 about the changes.

The forum was hosted at the Hartford Courant.

The full discussion can be viewed on Periscope. Or see a summary of some points in the tweets posted below.

Matt Reed, left, @CTSPJ vice President Michael Savino, center and Tom Hennick, right. pic.twitter.com/zNxklUtpOQ

— CT SPJ (@CTSPJ) January 14, 2016

Reed says when he was at South Windsor PD, he created new policy for dealing with media: When in doubt, give it out.

— CT SPJ (@CTSPJ) January 14, 2016

Hennick says 15 years ago there were 21 exemptions to the FOI act. Today it’s up to 27.

— CT SPJ (@CTSPJ) January 14, 2016

Public act 15-164 details which info police departments must release at time of arrest, after court decision limited that info in 2014

— CT SPJ (@CTSPJ) January 14, 2016

New law requires disclosure of blotter info, records depicting arrest or custody, including body camera images, unless exempt, Hennick said.

— CT SPJ (@CTSPJ) January 14, 2016

. @attymattreed Police chiefs’ job is to follow the law. “Tell us what you want.” CT #FOI via @CTSPJ panel

— Jim Welch (@CTnewshound) January 14, 2016

Records have to be given out “promptly” What does “prompt” mean? Police chiefs like specifics says @AttyMattReed via @CTSPJ #foi

— Jim Welch (@CTnewshound) January 14, 2016

Hennick said PDs don’t hesitate to get body cams until they realize the material becomes public record. Concerns about how to store, release

— CT SPJ (@CTSPJ) January 14, 2016

. @attymattreed “if it was up to me you’d be able to go to the police channel and select an officer…” says @AttyMattReed via @CTSPJ

— Jim Welch (@CTnewshound) January 14, 2016

. @AttyMattReed says one of the police fears about body camera footage is that you’ll release something that harms a person.

— CT SPJ (@CTSPJ) January 14, 2016

. @AttyMattReed South Windsor officers happy to have body cameras because more often than not they are exonerated via @CTSPJ panel

— Jim Welch (@CTnewshound) January 14, 2016

Hennick: “public information is public information, sorry if it embarrasses someone.”

— Kathleen McWilliams (@kgmcwilliams) January 14, 2016