Summary
In the summer of 1995, the Saanich police department recognized that a more structured media relations program was required to address the increase in media requests on police related issues. With the impending Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act coming into legislation in 1995, the Saanich police created a media relations policy, not only to assist with the increase in information requests, but to also ensure the requirements of the new legislation were being met. All media officers are currently directed to the media policy prior to conducting media releases. The policy was created to protect the interests of the department and to conform to the protocols of current legislation. The policy does not take stock of the overall goal of having effective community/public relations. Much of the previous feedback regarding the media program was conducted on an informal basis. If one member of the media contacted the department to complain about an issue, then meetings were often set to address the concerns. But how many members of the media take the time to actually complain? I have received more that one irate media member who felt they were being ignored, or they were not receiving a level of service from the department that was meeting the standard of good cooperation. To understand the issues surrounding many of the complaints, a brief overview of the media relations program is required.