Emergency Communications Updates Media Policy

At the request of the Wichita Police Department, Emergency Communications personnel will broadcast information regarding WPD cases to news and media outlets regarding lane closures, areas to avoid, media staging instructions, etc. Additionally, when authorized to do so by an Incident Commander, Emergency Communications personnel will broadcast suspect or safety information to news and media outlets. Emergency Communications personnel will verify incident locations to the hundred block and will provide an initial triage, if applicable, on all calls. Emergency Communications will not provide any additional information for incidents under jurisdiction of the Wichita Police Department. If a media outlet is requesting additional information beyond what is being released by Emergency Communications they may forward their request to the Wichita Police Department’s Public Information or request to be contacted by the WPD Incident Commander.

For all other departments, Emergency Communications staff may, if time allows, provide media outlets with some general information about ongoing incidents (excluding domestic disturbances or sex offenses). The provided information is limited to the hundred block where the incident is occurring, the age, triage and hospital destination of medical patients, codes and number of patients, if applicable, on structure fires, and general information on vehicle accidents.

For more information on this policy, contact:

Director Elora Forshee, Sedgwick County Emergency Communications Elora.Forshee@sedgwick.gov or 316-660-4977

Sergeant Nikki Woodrow, Wichita Police Department NWoodrow@wichita.gov or 316-268-4420