The Ontario Police College, the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police and the Ontario Media Relations Officers Network offers a one-week Media Relations Officers Course that is designed for individuals with police services and justice-related organizations. This intensive, hands-on certificate course prepares participants to master the basics of media relations. The course is taught by professionals working with police organizations and working journalists.
The topics covered during the one-week course are as follows:
- Media relations basics
- Communications: it's not just media anymore!
- Legal issues impacting law enforcement and justice organizations (incl. public disclosure, rules of engagement, Freedom of Information and professional standards issues)
- News release writing 101
- What journalists look for
- Media tools at your disposal
- Integrating social media into traditional media relations
- Broadcast media (intensive, before-the-camera training)
- Crisis communications and special events management
- Visit to a television station to observe a live news cast