New York, Feb. 26, 2002 - The New York City Police Department has agreed to halt certain restrictions placed on reporters covering the news and to reassess in general its public information policies.

Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said media "pens," set up by police to corral reporters and TV crews at big breaking stories will now be voluntary. Kelly furthermored cautioned police officers about confiscating media credentials.

Media pens - like this one set up at JFK Airport by the Giuliani administration for coverage of the Egypt Air plane crash - will now be voluntary.

"Working press credentials entitle the bearer to certain privileges which must not be dismissed," said Kelly. The police commissioner has issued an order to all members of the force, stating that removal of press passes is "a serious act" and may only be done with the approval of the Deputy Commissioner for Public Information.

In the order, the police commissioner also reminded officers that information for the media should be released in a timely and proper manner. "We, as public servants, should see to it that we fully cooperate with members of the media to assist in the accurate accounts of the facts," said Kelly.

"It is essential that members of the service not interfere with members of the media when acting in their news-gathering capacity," added Kelly.

The commissioner released the new procedures to news executives at a meeting in his office set up by The New York Press Club, which had asked for a sit-down with Kelly immediately after his return to One Police Plaza in January.

During the eight years of the Giuliani administration, the NYPD relied on press pens to restrict reporters at breaking news stories and, at times, confiscated press passes from reporters who refused to adhere to those restrictions.

Kelly said the pens will now be voluntary and set up to allow more access for interviews and picture-taking. Reporters and photographers will be free to go in and out of the pens at will.

The new Deputy Commissioner of Public Information, former WCBS-TV reporter Michael O'Looney, added two new procedures. O'Looney said that to help reporters, DCPI will place more officers at major events such as crime scenes, parades and rallies. O'Looney also said that representatives of his office will be available to visit newsrooms to expedite applications for press passes and other credentials, instead of always requiring reporters to come in person to headquarters.

"These are major breakthroughs that are long overdue and really are basic rights we must have to carry out our jobs," said New York Press Club President Carol Anne Riddell. "We look forward to working together with the NYPD to bring New Yorkers the news."

Philip O'Brien is managing editor of WNBC-TV News and is a member of The New York Press Club's Board of Governors and its Freedom of the Press Committee.

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