The police, the media and their audiences
05 March 2010
Students hear how the police keep their public informed.
The Business Development Centre recently invited Chief Superintendent Chris Armitt, Area Commander St Helens, into the University to give a guest talk to students on the 'Understanding Public Relations' module within the School of Media, Critical and Creative Arts.
Chief Superintendent Armitt handled the national and local media relations surrounding the Rhys Jones murder in Liverpool in 2008; Sky News footage of his first press conference with the media was played to the students, followed by a discussion and Q&A session.
Speaking after his guest talk, Chief Superintendent Armitt said: "I think speaking to the students was a great opportunity to explore the impacts and opportunities presented by the written and broadcast media when the police service are engaged in crisis management or conducting serious investigations. I also hope that the students will now have an enhanced understanding of how the police try to engage with the media and some of the legal constraints that exist when managing sensitive information."
Lecturer Nickianne Moody added: “Speaking to the students afterwards, I could see they now understood how 'professional public relations' is not just about performance. It is about confidence which comes being able to define the purpose of media communication, lots of research, preparation and support networks. More importantly I think that after this talk they felt that they could become part of such a team.”
This talk was developed and set up by the Business Development Centre's Start-Up Network through its ongoing business development links with Merseyside Police High Tech Crime Unit. Chief Superintendent Armitt is also a recent graduate of LJMU's Executive MBA programme.
Dominique Aspey, who manages the Start-Up Network, commented: “We have an ongoing relationship with the High Tech Crime Unit in relation to commercial enterprise and technology transfer activity and through this link we were able to respond to a request from Nickianne to bring in a speaker from the Police, around the theme of 'crisis management public relations'. Our Network of alumni and graduate start-up businesses, established entrepreneurs and larger organisations is fast becoming a resource that supports teaching across the University through its use of guest speakers and work-related-learning opportunities.”
If you would like more information about the Start-Up Network and how it can support business and teaching, please contact Dominique Aspey in the Business Development Centre at d.aspey@ljmu.ac.uk or 0151 231 8062.
Pictured: Chief Superintendent Chris Armitt with Nickianne Moody, Principal Lecturer, Media, Critical and Creative Arts
