NCJ Number
115727
Date Published
1985
Length
335 pages
Annotation
This dissertation examines the police-media relationship and offers proposals for preventing and treating police-media dysfunctional conflict.
Abstract
Although the literature search revealed much material on police-media relations, there was a gap regarding proposals for resolving police-media conflicts. To test the validity of the assumption that police-media conflicts could be resolved or ameliorated, 34 interviews were conducted: 17 with San Francisco Bay Area police executives and 17 with Bay Area media executives. Executives were asked if resolving or ameliorating police-media conflicts was important to them; all said it was. A survey of the 50 largest city police departments in California solicited information on police-media administrative arrangements. Results indicate that many departments have been using methods to improve police-media relations for many years. The dissertation concludes with the descriptions of models of police and media agencies' cooperation. Components of the police model include a public information officer, patrol 'ride-alongs' for reporters, officer preservice and inservice training in media relations, and a media relations policy. Appended study instruments, model policy and forms, a model police-media training course; 11 figures; 150-item bibliography. (Author abstract modified)