The Public
Affairs Branch is staffed by experienced professionals, skilled in
media management, marketing, journalism, design, photography and TV
production.
It is their job to keep you informed about the role of police,
crime prevention in the community and to keep the officers and other
staff in the field up to date with the latest developments.
They are responsible for managing the intense media interest in
the police, producing public information campaigns, providing
operational support to investigations, overseeing sponsorship
policy, market research and this Web Page design.
In the lead up to the Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympics Games
the Media Unit was liaising with other State and Commonwealth
agencies and had formulated an Olympic Security Media Strategy.
Police Media Unit:
It seems almost everyday the newspapers, TV and radio news are
dominated by stories involving police. Much of the information which
helps journalists prepare these stories is provided by the Police
Media Unit.
Media Officers with a range of journalism, public relations,
communications and police operational skills provide advice on media
issues to everyone in the Service from Commissioner to Constable.
The daily demand for media information and interviews comes not
only from the 500 media outlets in NSW but also from numerous
national and international media sources.
Everyday the Police Media Unit helps keep you up to date on the
facts through a series of media briefings, media releases,
conferences and by answering specific media questions.
The unit is on 24 hour stand-by to attend all significant police
operations and emergencies making sure the media are provided with
quick and accurate information which ultimately helps inform and
reassure the public in times of trouble.
Police are often asked by journalists to give interviews. The
Media Unit trains senior police and executives on how to manage
media interviews.
Media and Olympic Security:
More than 20,000 media personnel are expected to attend the
Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympics Games. Security for the athletes,
officials, tourists and the community will become a major focus for
the world’s media.
The NSW Police Service is responsible for the overall security at
the Games and the Media Unit is preparing a coordinated
communications strategy to assist the media.
Education Campaigns:
The education campaigns run by the Public Affairs Branch have two
purposes - To teach you about the diverse services available from
the police and to provide you with the opportunity to help police
reduce crime.
Whether it be finding a missing person, catching a thief, drug
dealer or paedophile or warning against dangerous driving, the
campaigns are always designed to let you know how you can help or be
helped.
Other campaigns target issues and events such as:
- Domestic Violence
- Child Sexual Assault
- Property Theft
- Drug and Alcohol Related Crime and Abuse
- Young Offenders Act
- Safety Tips for Seniors
- Police Open Day
- National Police Remembrance Day
- Safety House
- New Police Powers
- Knife and Gun Laws
Marketing Material:
Every year, Public Affairs distributes more than one million
brochures and other resources to police stations across the state
targeting key issues. Most of these, including the annual report,
information pamphlets and posters, are produced in house by the
Public Affairs designer and photographer.
Internet:
This Web Site has been designed and is being continually updated
by Public Affairs. We have incorporated the latest technology into
what we believe is a user friendly and informative site.
Film and Television:
The way police are portrayed in TV can have an impact on the
image of the Service. NSW Police assist the producers of these and
many other films and programs by providing advice about police
practices and procedures.
Internal Communication:
Having more than 17,000 employees and 500 locations, the NSW
Police Service is one of the largest organisations in Australia. To
keep them informed a weekly publication and a private weekly
internal TV program is produced by Public Affairs.
Police Service Weekly (PSW) is the official internal publication
for the NSW Police Service. It contains operational news, changes to
policing procedures, intelligence gathering information for
investigators, educational information, details of missing people,
job opportunities and general news items.
PSW was recently awarded a Golden Serif Award by the Australian
Institute of Professional Communicators and the Society of Business
Communicators.
Police TV was launched on a state-wide basis at the end of
January, 1998. The weekly internal news program contains information
on new police methods and techniques, wanted people, outstanding
suspects, warnings, security and surveillance footage of offenders,
new intelligence and operational safety tips. Broadcast only to
police facilities across the state, Police TV has become an
essential communication tool helping to solve crime.
