Guidance to Metropolitan Police officers issued by Scotland Yard is warning of the dangers of “flirting” and drinking with journalists.

The report, put together by Elizabeth Filkin, hits out at the “close relationship” between police officers and reporters, claiming that the once traditional confidential pint down the local to share information has caused “serious harm”.

Now, police officers are expected to be on guard for journalists looking to “flirt” information out of them. With public confidence in the press being tested to its limits by the investigations in phone hacking, the police are also taking a battering. Filkin puts this down to “some very serious issues” relating to contact between reporters and police officers which has “eroded trust from the public”.

The guidance isn’t placing an outright ban on police meeting with journalists to discuss stories in the comfort of a pub, but does issue the stern warning that officers indulging in such activities “may be seen as inappropriate hospitality” by the public.

Police officers will also be expected to keep a record of conversations had with journalists.

(Sources: MediaGuardian, Press Gazette)

Image taken by Flickr user l.bailey_beverley, licensed under Creative Commons.

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