Transparency is key to trust of law enforcement agencies

The media are known for their quick pace in wanting to inform the public of happenstance. Occasionally, this conflicts with the slower, more methodic pace of law enforcement.

Two recent shooting deaths associated with U.S. Customs and Border Protection – one involving agent Nicholas Ivie in Arizona and the other Valeria Alvarado, a mother of five from Chula Vista, Calif. – highlight this friction.

Reports initially claimed drug traffickers killed Ivie, while Alvarado was said to have hit a border agent with her car. Ivie’s story was completely inaccurate, while Alvarado’s missed important details that critically altered the account.

In an interview with ABC Univision, ASU School of Criminology and Criminal Justice professor Michael White said that the agency’s slow response to divulge details isn’t that surprising. In fact, White noted it mirrors the reaction of any typical local police department.

"They don't want to have any media attention that could somehow negatively affect the investigation itself," White said. "They don't want their officer to be tried in the media without a fair assessment of the facts."

In both cases, stories changed when more details came to light, but initial tales crafted through the media’s lack of details beg the question whether agencies should be more transparent and forthcoming.

White said while there are valid reasons to withhold information, transparency can be helpful for agencies that have a history of aggressive relationships within their communities.