Media Relations

Reflecting on the decision of the Associated Press to no longer name people charged with minor crimes

A proactive approach can take the sting out of new legislation and spike in public records requests

Responding to law enforcement Freedom of Information Act requests requires carefully balancing transparency against privacy

Implementing effective stakeholder communications is achievable by using the relevant resources and the correct planning

Small police departments that do not have the luxury of their own PIO can hold their own in the high-stakes public information arena

Agencies should be obsessed with informing their communities about who they are – caring professionals committed to protecting the public by doing the right things right

When those creating policies hear from those most affected – the officers who are bound by the policy and the public – it has a profound and productive effect

Proactive communications about policy changes demonstrates to your community that you are responsive to their concerns and continuously improving

From allowing the public to audit in-service training classes and participate on promotional panels, there are many ways to increase transparency and improve trust

Best practices for community communications around police policy

Small town leaders must manage not only their local community’s concerns but also inform national and international media about incidents in their region

These takeaways from a police PIO can prove beneficial to law enforcement communication pros in future cases

These stories offer the community a perspective they might not have considered: the men and women in uniform are relatable with prior careers just like them

It’s vitally important, especially for law enforcement officials, to prepare statements carefully before speaking

Journalism experts say the move raises ethical concerns, but also recognize that sometimes "in-the-moment" actions are necessary