Crisis Communications Boot Camp for Police and Law Enforcement Agencies

2-3 November, Catalyst Ranch in Chicago

Crisis Communications Boot Camp for Police and Law Enforcement Agencies

2-3 November, Catalyst Ranch in Chicago

About the Event

Welcome to the first ever Crisis Communications Boot Camp for Police and Law Enforcement Communicators!

Having organized 26 phenomenal Crisis Communications Boot Camp events around the world, we are truly honored to organize the first ever event devoted to the latest trends in crisis and reputation management for police and law enforcement communicators.

Featuring presentations by Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia, Louisville Metro Police, United States Secret Service, Ottawa Police Department and Charleston Police Department, the Boot Camp will provide you with the opportunity to rewrite your crisis communications strategy and protect your reputation in an age of polarization and growing skepticism.

Book your early-bird ticket here and SAVE $200. (Group discounts available)

The Boot Camp is jam-packed with keynotes on the biggest reputational trends, like:

  • Moving away from the no comment mindset
  • Managing national news homicide investigations
  • Managing internal communications during a crisis
  • Effective communications strategies during ongoing riots and unrest
  • Addressing the challenges of recruiting and retention in law enforcement
  • Why communications should have a seat at the executive table
  • Building & maintaining brand reputation
  • How to build an effective social media crisis management strategy
  • How can we become better storytellers and create better narrative around our agencies?

In addition, the Boot Camp includes a full-day crisis simulation workshop with International Crisis Communications Expert Jon Meakin to assist with updating your crisis plans and protecting your agency's reputation in a world of growing skepticism.

Are you a valued member of the National Sheriff's Association? Don't miss out on your well-deserved perks! Get in touch today to claim your exclusive 20% discount code.

Facts & Figures

  • P World organizes some of the world's most prestigious PR Summits and Boot Camps in 40 countries around the globe.
  • In the past five years, we have hosted our Crisis Communication Boot Camp 26 times in New York, Chicago, Miami, Austin, Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver, Brussels, London, and Zurich.
  • This is the only US Boot Camp exclusively focused on crisis communications for Police and Law Enforcement Agencies.

Speakers

Dustin Sternbeck Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia

Angela Ingram Louisville Metro Police Department

Chata M. Spikes City of Atlanta Police Department (APD) & Atlanta City Detention Center (ACDC)

Anthony Guglielmi United States Secret Service

Julie Kavanagh Ottawa Police Service

Terry Cherry Charleston Police Department

Jon Meakin

Corey Dobridnia Walton County Sheriff's Office

Agenda

09.00

Registration and Morning Coffee

10.00 

Moving Away from the No Comment Mindset – Telling the Federal Agency's Story
The United States Secret Service is becoming a little less secret as the agency embraces a reinvigorated communication strategy to educate  the American public on the investigative and protective functions of the agency. In this keynote, Anthony will share how the leadership culture at the Secret Service has shifted to be more forward leaning on communication, social media, transparency and brand.   
Anthony Guglielmi , Chief of Communications, United States Secret Service 

10.40 

Why Internal Communications are Key During a Crisis: Lessons Learned From the January 6th Capitol Riot
Having a solid internal communications strategy is essential for success, especially during times of constant crises. If we've learned anything as PR professionals in the past three years it's that effective internal communications doesn’t just empower employees to accomplish outstanding results but more importantly, it ensures that your organization can withstand change and unexpected crisis. In this session Dustin will share with you how to successfully manage internal comms to prepare your teams for major crisis and how to keep your team productive during a crisis.
Dustin Sternbeck, Director Of Communications, Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia 

11.20 

Best Practices for Critical Incident Response (Active Shooter/Mass Casualty) – Lessons Learned from the Old National Bank Louisville Shooting
On April 10, 2023, a mass shooting occurred at the Old National Bank in Louisville, Kentucky, United States. Five people were killed, and eight others were injured, including two responding police officers.
Drawing from this experience, Angela will share with you best practices for responding to a critical incident such as an active shooter or mass casualty situation. She will discuss the importance of proper training and preparation for such incidents, as well as the importance of having a plan in place for how to respond. Angela will also provide concrete steps to take in the event of an active shooter or mass casualty situation, as well as resources to help prepare for and respond to these incidents.
Angela Ingram, Emmy-nominated Journalist & Director of Communications, Louisville Metro Police

12.00

Lunch for Speakers and Delegates

13.00

Building & Maintaining a Brand Reputation in a World of Polarization ang Growing Mistrust
Drawing from her experience at the City of Atlanta Police Department (APD)  and the Atlanta City Detention Center (ACDC), Chata will share with you how to build and maintain a brand reputation in a world of polarization and growing mistrust. She will discuss the strategies used to create a brand that is trusted and respected by the public and how to respond to negative publicity. Additionally, she will discuss the importance of transparency and accountability in building a strong brand reputation.
Chata M. Spikes, Public Affairs Director , City of Atlanta Police Department (APD)  & Atlanta City Detention Center (ACDC) 

13.40

Communication Strategies During Ongoing Protests: Ottawa, Canada Freedom Convoy Occupation
Hundreds of trucks and other vehicles, organized under Freedom Convoy 2022, clogged traffic in Ottawa's core for weeks. Julie will share with you the strategies that Ottawa Police used to communicate during the protests, the lessons they learned, and how they will use this experience to better their public relations in the future. Julie will also discuss how Police can better engage with the public and build trust with their constituents. She will also explain how the Police should strive to use de-escalation techniques to resolve conflicts. Finally, she will discuss how the Police will use the Freedom Convoy 2022 incident to improve their communication strategy.
Julie Kavanagh, Manager, Corporate Communications, Ottawa Police

14.20

Networking and Refreshment Break

14.50

Recruitment and Retention – Being Strategic With a Multi-Generational Workforce
With retirements, resignations, and fewer hires, police departments across the country are leaving the communities they protect with understaffed and potentially underqualified departments. In this session Terry will share with you how to address this issue and ensure that your police department is properly staffed with qualified individuals. She will also discuss strategies on how to recruit and retain qualified personnel in an increasingly competitive job market. Terry will also provide best practices for creating a positive workplace culture that is attractive to current and prospective employees. Finally, she will talk about strategies for creating a diverse and inclusive workplace.
Terry Cherry, Senior Police Officer, Charleston Police Department

15.30

Building the Law Enforcement Brand Through Social Media Engagement
It has been shown that social media can be a valuable tool in assisting law enforcement agencies to reach out to the community, to solve problems, to conduct investigations, and to prevent crimes from occurring. As part of this session, Corey will share what it takes to build engagement, enhance communication, and protect the brand of your agency using social media. She will also discuss the challenges and risks associated with using social media, and how to effectively manage them. Finally, Corey will provide best practices for developing an effective social media strategy
Corey Dobridnia, Public Information Officer, Walton County Sheriff's Office 

16.10

End of Day 1

10.00 - 16.00

Interactive Crisis Simulation Workshop with Jon Meakin: Update Your Crisis Plan and Protect Your Agency's Reputation in a Polarized World
We live in a time of polarization and growing mistrust. As skepticism grows in our society, organizations must understand the dangers of a crisis and be prepared to respond quickly and effectively. Jon Meakin's Interactive Crisis Simulation Workshop will help you update your agency's crisis plan and protect your reputation in this difficult environment. The workshop will help you identify potential risks, develop a response strategy and practice your team's response to a simulated crisis. It will also guide you on how to effectively communicate and manage the aftermath of a crisis.
The workshop will introduce participants to established best practices as well as new ideas on how crisis communicators can protect their organizations' reputations and provide support to those affected by crises. 
The workshop includes an opportunity to work with your fellow delegates through challenging but very engaging crisis scenarios, harnessing social media, media interviews and a sensitive press conference.

You will return to work with:
- Ten top crisis communications tips for a polarized world
- An action plan to improve executive readiness for crisis communications
-  A heightened awareness of how to communicate in an increasingly aggressive environment

At the end of this workshop you will:
- Understand the relationship between advance preparation and speed in crisis communications
- Be equipped to review your organisation’s tone, language and style on social media in a crisis
- Be familiar with aggressive question types in crisis media interviews and how to deal with them
- Be ready to review your organisation’s crisis communications plan in the light of the workshop

About Your Workshop Leader:
Jon has 30 years of communications consultancy experience, gained on both sides of the Atlantic. He has spent the past decade in technology communications, first running the PayPal business across the EMEA region, before moving to San Francisco and leading the West Coast team for global PR firm, Grayling, and North America for emerging tech agency, Clarity.
Over that time, Jon has worked with scrappy start-ups and mature enterprises alike, advising ambitious founders and seasoned C-suite executives in B2C and B2B tech firms. In late 2022, Jon founded Coldharbour Communications, a consultancy focused on providing content-first brand communications services to technology businesses.
Additionally, since 2018, Jon has served on the international Board of the Association for Measurement and Evaluation of Communication (AMEC). As the founding Chair of AMEC’s agency group, Jon is focused on increasing the adoption of best practice evaluation methodologies throughout the agency world.
A frequent judge of communications and creative industry awards, Jon also speaks at professional conferences around the world, on topics including crisis management and measurement and evaluation.
British-born, Jon is currently resident in San Francisco.

Our partners

Supported by

Venue

Catalyst Ranch, Chicago, USA

Address: 656 W Randolph St Ste 4E, Chicago, IL 60661, United States

Catalyst Ranch in Chicago is a unique meetings and events venue designed for companies to go offsite for thinking, planning, developing, creating new products, solutions, and innovative ideas. The Ranch was named the “Best Conference Venue” by Illinois Meetings & Events in 2012 and 2013 and the Professional Convention Management Association’s Convene Magazine “Best in Show” for Small Meetings 2014. The design inspires play for grown up companies with today's big challenges. Play is the first step toward creativity. Toys, games, color, texture, natural light, comfortable seating, and space to roam all contribute to the stimulate creativity and communication. For groups of 3 to 120, it's a wondrous environment that can be configured to meet your needs. Imagination, environment, creativity, innovation.