POLICE MEDIA RELATIONS

Learning objectives Learning Objective: The student will be able to recognize the difference in media relations today from the past. Learning Objective: The student will be able to recognize the importance of the relationship between the media and Law Enforcement. Learning Objective: The student will recognize the importance of the selecting the right spokesperson for their agency

MEDIA RELATIONS

MEDIA RELATIONS Law Enforcement Agencies and media outlets can have a positive relationship with work from both sides. This course can assist officers and agencies in keeping a positive relationship with the media.

Introduction History MEDIA RELATIONS Over the years the history of the relationship of law enforcement and the media has changed significantly.

MEDIA RELATIONS 1950’s The police and the media were basically partners, socializing away from work between the two was commonplace Reporters believed the police were always the good guys. Highway Patrol staring Broderick Crawford

MEDIA RELATIONS

MEDIA RELATIONS 1960’s Due to social unrest - the media plays a huge role in informing the public of events. The public sees police unleashing dogs on anti war and civil rights protesters in Birmingham, AL. The media distanced themselves from police and a distrust between the two began.

MEDIA RELATIONS

1960’s - Continued MEDIA RELATIONS Due to many police actions over this period, the media and the public started to demand answers from law enforcement executives – administrators for incidents that the police were involved in

“Sgt. Joe Friday” played by actor The police show “Dragnet” helped with the positive image of law enforcement officers through the character of “Sgt. Joe Friday” played by actor Jack Webb.

Media Relations 1970’s to Present Police Executives start to feel pressure from the media and the public about all the negative publicity the police are receiving. The media starts to tirelessly seek the truth about police actions.

MEDIA RELATIONS

MEDIA RELATIONS “The TRUTH” Depends on the perspective of the person seeking the truth

Media Relations Is there Hope? Savvy police executives have molded a proactive approach to handling the media In working “with” the media on some investigations the relationships can be manageable. Political and image building steps can be positive for police organizations.

SELECTION OF PIO The selection of a Public Information Officer is an administrative decision that can help an agency get their messages out to the public The PIO can better interact with the public, the media and its own employees

SELECTION OF PIO – Cont’d The PIO concept can also help administrators be more at ease when dealing with the media A fulltime PIO is necessary for large agencies, but for smaller agencies it might not be feasible

SELECTION OF PIO – Cont’d A PIO needs a strong background in police operations it is a must A PIO needs to be loyal to his/her agency and its executives.

SELECTION OF PIO – Cont’d The PIO must be trustworthy. He/she should possess good public speaking and writing skills A PIO cannot be a “clock watcher” since any day could be longer than 8 hours Investigative experience adds to any PIO’s credibility

WHY HAVE A PIO? It should be the policy of the police agency to provide the media and the public with timely information concerning appropriate police matters occurring within the jurisdiction of that agency, and such information applicable under state law.

WHY HAVE A PIO? Continued Even if your Independent School District has it’s own PIO each ISD Chief should ensure that it has it’s own ISD-Police Department PIO to work with the School District PIO

JUSTIFICATION Columbine High school Virginia Tech massacre NASA shooting incident Northern Illinois University shooting Fort Hood, TX Amish School Shooting Tucson Arizona

WHY HAVE A LE PIO? “LOGIC” Ensure criminal investigations are not compromised Liaison between Chief and officers working the incident and the School District Provide School District PIO with most up-to-date information

SEE THE MEDIA AS A PARTNER While most officers see the media as the enemy, the PIO must see them as partners The media can help promote a positive image of their agency, and also help with solving crimes

SEE THE MEDIA AS A PARTNER - Continued The media can help with positive community relations and help the public recognize what good law enforcement agencies -departments can do

SEE THE MEDIA AS A PARTNER - Continued Assistance to and cooperation with the media, within boundaries of existing law and needs of the agency, are needed and expected of all agency personnel A written policy of media interaction guidelines is a must for any size agency

Who is in charge? The agency executive is ultimately responsible for public comments( oral or written) concerning the agency The executive may designate one or more Public Information Officers to speak and act in his place

Who is in charge? Continued In some instances, supervisors may find it necessary to work with and speak officially to media Their responses would generally be made as events are on-going

Who is in charge? Continued These statements would be “general” in nature as facts become known Detailed information would be better left to investigators to give later

What Info is Provided? Type of incident Time of incident This general information would normally be: Type of incident Time of incident Location (address) Number of victims Action currently being taken

What Info is Provided? Continued Specific type of violence Cause of death Names of victims Details which may compromise the investigation (This is why every ISD should have a ISD-PD Officer detailed as a PIO)

What do you do when the camera is pointed at you? At the scene or other circumstance the media will grab the first officer it sees. Policy should state that you can: Confirm an incident has happened Give location and address Tell media how and “where to go” to obtain pertinent information

What do you do when the camera is pointed at you? – Cont’d Do not speculate Send media to incident command center if established, and say no more Be positive but firm Find out what access can be given to the scene or how nearby the media can get to the scene

What do you do when the camera is pointed at you? – Cont’d Policy should also involve the issuance of a written news release during significant incidents These will normally be issued by the PIO Office but all officers would be well served to recognize and understand the details of a press release

CRIME STOPPERS Statistics

Can the media benefit your agency? - Continued Crime stoppers Houston success since 2010 21,060 Felony Arrests 25,070 Solved Crimes 3,704 Robberies Solved

Can the media benefit your agency? - Continued Crime stoppers Houston success since 2010 - Continued $7.6 Million paid out to tipsters 228 Weapons 72 Guns from schools $233.930 Paid to student tipsters

CLOSING Winston Churchill quote about newspapers 90% of all TV stories show police in a good light “doing their jobs”.

QUESTIONS

RESOURCE Chief Deputy J.C. Mosier, 44 year Law Enforcement Career former Houston Police Department spokesman (Media Relations) for the Chief and the Department 24-plus years. Former Board member of Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards & Training 7-years. Chief Deputy Constable for PCT #1 Houston managing 350 person department. Former Advisor to Parents of Murdered Children, Board Vice President of Houston’s Crime Victim Assistance Center Inc.; Production Advisor to “Cops: Behind the Badge”, an HBO documentary aired in 1987 and production Advisor for a CBS dramatic television series called “Houston Knights”

Presenter George D. Little, C.C.P.S. Masters Criminology & Counter-Terrorism, BS & BA Criminal Justice, Social Work Services and Human Resources AS & AA Licensed Master, Advanced, Intermediate, Basic Peace Officer License and Instructor Certifications with the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards in Education (TCLEOSE) (210) 379-4919 glittle1@satx.rr.com