Regina police to decide on naming homicide victims on case-by-case basis

The Regina Police Service says it will evaluate whether or not to release the names of the city's homicide victims on a case-by-case basis.

The decision will fall to Chief of Police Evan Bray or his designate and will take into consideration the public's right to know and individual privacy, according to the agenda for the next board of police commissioners meeting.

Two sections of The Local Authority Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act will also weigh into the decision. One of the two sections states that personal information cannot be disclosed without the consent of the individual.

The other states that personal information should not be disclosed for 25 years after the death of the individual but could be released earlier if it "would not constitute an unreasonable invasion of privacy" to next of kin.

In the event that an arrest is made and charges are laid, the names of victims can be found in court documents.

According to recommendations from the office of the information and privacy commissioner, a homicide victim's name would not be released if:

• The identity of the victim was not verified.
• Next of kin has not been notified.
• Next of kin asks the name be withheld and the police chief determines the release of the name would be an invasion of privacy.
• The police chief determines that the release of a name "would be detrimental to the investigation."
• That it's not in the interest of the public.
• Releasing the name would be an invasion of privacy which outweigh's the public interest.
• The chief considers whether or not "the purpose in question" can be achieved with releasing de-identified information instead.