Pubic Relations
Today’s highly competitive, service-oriented, politically correct, intense business environment requires dynamic and effective strategists in order to remain afloat or maintain a competitive edge. For this task organizations usually consult the services of public relations specialists to convey the appropriate message to an organizations targeted group. The writer best defines public relations as an organizations medium for communicating, purpose, goals, mission, operation, and gain customer buy-in. In short, who they are, what they do, why they do it, and why support is needed.
Having worked in law enforcement, or government for most of her adult life, the writer’s view of the public relations role has been for damage control purposes. Approximately 18 years ago before the military and government agencies adopted more user friendly, politically correct, business practices, governmental agencies did not appear to want or need image enhancement services. However, in recent years as tax payers demand more government accountability, the writer has noticed that government agencies with emphasis on law enforcement strive to garner exposure, strengthen credibility, foster goodwill, and influence public opinion.
The reason why public relations are vital to law enforcement is because of the negative publicity police and sheriff departments receive as a result of officer error or unforeseen events. In law enforcement, officer error is often embellished to the extent that the department is usually depicted as negligent. In cases where bodily harm is involved the department is often faulted in the eye of the public based on a two or three minute video clip. Regardless of who is actually culpable the hysteria surrounding the event almost always adds to the negative reputation of department. For the reasons mentioned it is important that law enforcement remain highly visible in the communities they protect, and that respective departments earn the trust of the...
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