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Updated national guidance on police communications has been published by the College of Policing, setting clearer expectations for how forces engage with the public and accredited media in an era of rapid online information sharing.
Police leaders say forces are operating in a fast-moving communications environment where social media posts can reach millions within minutes, and misinformation can quickly undermine investigations or erode public trust. At the same time, relationships between policing and traditional media have weakened, creating new pressures around transparency and accountability.
The revised media and communications authorised professional practice (APP), formerly known as media relations APP, introduces strengthened requirements for faster and more transparent public communication. The guidance sets clearer expectations on releasing suspect information, including nationality and ethnicity, and outlines new frameworks for social media use and countering misinformation, disinformation and malinformation.
Forces are also expected to engage more quickly with accredited media, meet minimum capability standards for corporate communications teams, and ensure better support for victims and families in high-profile cases. Major incident communications planning is now required across all forces.
The APP is aimed at chief officers, senior investigating officers, gold commanders, communications teams and family liaison officers. Accredited journalists are also encouraged to use it as a reference point to understand what information they can expect to receive and when.
The guidance was developed collaboratively with communications professionals and media representatives, alongside a public consultation that drew 265 responses from policing, media organisations and civil society groups. It aligns with wider efforts to improve transparency, including a media protocol from the Crown Prosecution Service and a new national Media Charter developed with groups such as the Society of Editors.
Chief Constable Sir Andy Marsh, CEO of the College of Policing, said: “We now live in a world where mis- and disinformation can spread like wildfire, doing untold harm to communities and undermining public trust in the police if not countered quickly. It is therefore crucial that police provide prompt, trustworthy information, on a nationally consistent basis.
“We have listened to feedback from the public, journalists, and police professionals to make this guidance fit for today’s challenges and news landscape.”
Dawn Alford, Chief Executive of the Society of Editors, said “We are pleased that the guidance now recognises the reality of today’s fast-paced media landscape as well as the challenges posed by mis- and disinformation online and the need for forces to challenge false narratives in a timely manner. We look forward to continuing to work with policing bodies to strengthen this important relationship.”
The College says the updated APP is part of a wider effort to rebuild trust through clearer, ethical and professional communication between policing, the media and the public.
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