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MEDIA
RELATIONS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT
Level I, 16 Classroom Hours
Course Outline
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Chris Ryan, president of Ryan & Assoc. Public Relations has created and developed
this specialized training course as necessary training for law enforcement officers
responsible for communicating and interacting with the news media.
Mr. Ryan administers this non-graded 2-day class at various locations throughout the
United States, Canada, Mexico & Europe..
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| » Course Objectives |
This level 1 course focuses on developing
communication skills and an understanding of the news business for sworn and non-sworn law
enforcement personnel empowered with managing and disseminating information to the public
and communicating and interacting with the news media.
Students will receive step-by-step direction on how to use essential tools to excel during
media interviews and news conferences, at crime scenes and in crisis and other critical
situations where the public and the news media have an interest.
Students will be trained to understand the workings of the news media on a local and
national level and its interaction with the law enforcement community. They will learn to
manage and disseminate critical and often sensitive information, understand the legal
aspects and possible ramifications of the release of information and anticipate reporters'
questions and tactics while giving solid and effective answers. They will also learn how
to execute useful departmental news releases.
This course includes a thorough understanding of the effect that good communications with
the news media has on community and government relations, recruiting and other outreach
programs as well as building alliances with other agencies. Students will learn that their
communications and relationships with the media have an unexpected impact in the area of
officer safety during calls for service and vehicle stops due to a better understanding of
the departments functions and its place in the community. Finally, students will
participate in practical on-camera interviews withaggressive reporters during
simulated high profile situations. These intense interviews are designed to challenge
students to use the skills attained during the course to communicate effectively in highly
charged situations where there are rarely easy answers.
Students from other agencies, i.e. PDs, SOs, DAs, CAs,
probation/parole officers and corrections officers, etc., are invited to attend for
training credit. |
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| » Strategies and
Materials |
Classroom activities include candid instruction,
discussions and problem solving, video presentations, group learning with
thought-provoking exercises and role-playing scenarios.
Materials include class handouts and case studies, visual aids and video taping of
practicals, etc. |
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