The Society of Editors has welcomed new draft Authorised Professional Practice (APP) guidance on police and media relations, published today by the College of Policing, as a positive step towards more transparent and consistent communication between police forces and the press.
The draft guidance, now open for public consultation, sets out expectations for how forces should engage with journalists, share information and support open justice.
Dawn Alford, Chief Executive of the Society of Editors, said: “Today’s draft APP guidance represents an important and positive shift towards a more open, constructive relationship between the police and the media. Clearer expectations around engagement, transparency and the role of journalists reporting from the scene will all help strengthen public confidence and support accurate, public interest reporting.
“We are pleased to see the value of regular dialogue recognised, as well as greater clarity around how key information can, and should, be shared. These are meaningful improvements that reflect the benefits of working together.
“There is encouraging momentum here and, alongside the Crime Reporters Association, the Media Lawyers Association and other media bodies, we look forward to building on this progress through the consultation to help ensure the final guidance delivers clarity, consistency and transparency for the benefit of policing, the media and the public.”
Rebecca Camber, chair of the Crime Reporters Association said: ‘Two years ago, the Nicola Bulley review warned the Leveson Inquiry had cast a decade-long shadow fracturing the relationship between the police and the media.
‘Now, for the first time engagement between officers of all ranks and the media is being positively encouraged, forces are being told to open up and respond at pace in major investigations. The walls are finally coming down and I’m delighted that the College of Policing has accepted the recommendations of the Crime Reporters Association, the Society of Editors and the Media Lawyers Association on how we can work better together.’
Sam de Reya, National Police Chiefs Council Lead for Communications and Engagement, said: “This draft guidance reflects a shared commitment to improving transparency and strengthening relationships with the media in the public interest. We welcome the constructive engagement from media partners and look forward to continued collaboration as the guidance is refined.”
Andy Marsh, Chief Executive of the College of Policing, said: “This is an important milestone in ensuring policing and the media work together in a clear and consistent way that supports public trust. We are grateful for the input from media groups so far and encourage further contributions through the consultation.”
How to take part
Anyone wishing to respond to the consultation can do so via the College of Policing consultation page where you can find the full draft guidance by Sunday 4 January 2026. Editors and journalists who would like to add their voice to a response by the SoE can contact the Society of Editors at office@societyofeditors.org.
