Readers’ Question - Why Don’t The Police Release Names\Photographs Of People Arrested For Serious Crimes?
There are often questions asked in the community regarding actions by public bodies and why they do certain things.
We try to find out the answer from the body itself.
This time we were asked by more than a few readers about the Moose Jaw Police Service (MJPS) not publishing the names or pictures of people who have been arrested.
The question was asked in numerous ways by various readers and we summarized the question and sent it over to the MJPS for a response.
Readers Question - Why doesn’t the Moose Jaw Police Service release the names and photographs of people arrested and accused of serious crimes?
MJPS Answer
When we arrest or take an individual into custody, we have to uphold a level of privacy for that person(s), especially if it’s an ongoing investigation. Once that information has been sworn by a Judge or Justice of the Peace, then it becomes public information, which creates a mechanism to share with the community.
Once the information becomes public, we may release the name(s) of the accused and the charges that have been laid via a press release.
In some instances, we will not release name(s) at any point, as it might hinder an investigation, or identify a witness, or victim.
As per the Youth Criminal Justice Act, we are prohibited from releasing the name of a person under the age of 18, or any other information related to a child or young person.
When it comes to releasing photographs, we only do so to assist in apprehending an adult accused at large, helping to find a missing person, with the consent of the family in the case of a Young Person, as part of the Public Disclosure process, or in any other case with the permission from the Chief of Police.
Again, in some instances, we will not release a photograph at any point, as it might hinder an investigation, or identify a witness or victim.
I hope this answers your questions.
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