Two city police officers who fatally shot suspects threatening them with deadly force brought action, along with their union, against city, seeking declaratory judgment, writ of mandamus, and injunctive relief in connection with city’s intent to publicly disclose officers’ identities at media’s request.
Various media organizations intervened, asserting that city police department had failed to respond to their request for public records identifying the two officers.
Following a hearing, the Circuit Court denied the officers’ and the union’s requests for relief. Union appealed. The First District Court of Appeal reversed. City and intervenors appealed.
The Supreme Court held that:
- Victim confidentiality provision of Florida Constitution does not guarantee a generalized right of anonymity to crime victims, and
- Victim confidentiality provision of Florida Constitution did not preclude city from disclosing officers’ names and identities to media.
Victim confidentiality provision of Florida Constitution does not guarantee to a crime victim the categorical right to withhold his or her name from disclosure or a generalized right of anonymity.
Victim confidentiality provision of Florida Constitution did not preclude city from disclosing to media names and identities of two city police officers who had fatally shot suspects who had threatened officers with deadly force.