Pa. state police reverses policy on victims' names
May 08, 2009 Police reports
HARRISBURG (AP) — The Pennsylvania State Police is backtracking on a blanket policy to withhold victims' names from news releases just one day after it was issued.
Spokeswoman Cpl. Linette Quinn said the department rescinded its policy Friday after realizing it was too broad.
Quinn says the policy directed troopers not to release the names or addresses of victims, and put only their ages and ethnicity on public news releases.
She says the idea was to expand a longstanding practice of withholding names of sexual assault and rape victims to also include victims of sexual harassment.
The policy is being rewritten to clearly define which crime victims it will cover.
Quinn says a new policy should be in place by the end of May.
Spokeswoman Cpl. Linette Quinn said the department rescinded its policy Friday after realizing it was too broad.
Quinn says the policy directed troopers not to release the names or addresses of victims, and put only their ages and ethnicity on public news releases.
She says the idea was to expand a longstanding practice of withholding names of sexual assault and rape victims to also include victims of sexual harassment.
The policy is being rewritten to clearly define which crime victims it will cover.
Quinn says a new policy should be in place by the end of May.
