PIO BOOT CAMP
30 Classroom Hours
Course Outline

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This 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.

PIO Boot Camp participants will receive step-by-step direction on how 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.

Participants 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 and market their agencies more effectively.

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. Participants will learn their communications and relationships with the media often has an unexpected impact in the areas of officer safety, community support, budgets, and more timely resolution of crimes.   Issues covered will lead to a better understanding of the department’s functions and its place in the community.

Attendees will view and discuss video segments featuring law enforcement officers from across the country interacting with news reporters in a variety of scenarios. Finally, students will participate in practical on-camera interviews and mock news conferences with “aggressive reporters” in simulated high profile situations. These intense scenarios 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. PD’s, SO’s, DA’s, CA’s, probation/parole officers and corrections officers, etc., are invited to attend for training credit.

Boot Camp activities include high caliber police media relations 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.