Law-enforcement agencies, especially police departments often get a bad rap and a bad reputation due to negative publicity or mistakes that might have been made in the field. Sometimes these stories get rather embellished and it is not the Police Department's fault. Sometimes perfectly honest police officers are made to look like the devil and the mass media hysteria runs away with a story based on a short clip of a video, which is limited in length and does not show the whole picture of what happened.
It is important for law enforcement agencies to be out and about and respected by the public. Whereas some people who receive a speeding ticket are angry at the Police Department, the first time something happens to them the police are the first people they call. It is a love-hate relationship with citizens often and law enforcement and that is too bad. Clearly it does not have to be that way.
Police departments should form community policing units that improve visibility and understanding. Educational programs in the schools are also important for police departments and they obviously will help when it comes time for witnesses to come forward.
Law-enforcement agencies should always be on good terms with the local media and have open communication lines. They should also promote a very strong and robust public relations program so that they do not fall victim to hearsay when problems arise. Please consider all this in 2006.
"Lance Winslow" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/ |
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