A very big part of our job is taking pictures. Most of the time it's a job we enjoy. We get to capture a memory and 98% of the time -- it's a good memory.

Sometimes, however, we capture a scene that brings tears to the eyes of the photographer. (Believe it or not ... we are human.)

When a wreck happens, especially if it involves a local person, I send a reporter to the scene. The reporter has instructions to always stay out of the way of emergency personnel but to take as many pictures as possible. It's their job. Once the reporter returns to the office the reporter and myself, and sometimes the publisher, will select a photo we believe captures the story the best. I do not look for the photo with the most sensationalism, I look for the photo that tells a story. Sometime it's Air-Evac landing, a helping hand given by emergency personnel or a passer-by, sometimes it's just the crumpled remains of a vehicle. But NEVER is it a photo showing the crumpled body of a deceased person. That's the policy of this newspaper, that's the policy of this editor. I'm a wife, mother and grandmother - that will always influence my decision.

Disagreements have occurred at several accident scenes recently when law enforcement erroneously believe they have the right to tell a reporter at the scene what photos they can and cannot take. That law enforcement official is wrong.

Here is a statement taken from the Arkansas Freedom of Information handbook:

* Arkansas State Police General Order

No. 76-003 (Subject: News Media):

"State police personnel should permit properly identified news media representatives free access to any disaster or emergency scene unless their presence would constitute a violation of the law or would substantially interfere with the officer's duty to: protect life, collect and preserve evidence, protect property or identify dead or injured persons."

Notice that it says ANY disaster or emergency scene. Whether it's a fire, a wreck, a flood or a tornado, the media is almost always on scene recording the community's history -- it's our job and one we take very seriously.