Police Receive Training on Talking to the Media  

The Belize Police Department is undergoing training on how to communicate with the media. Because of their rank, senior police officers are often tasked with sharing vital information with the media and thus, it is necessary that they receive training on how to convey information in an accurate and comprehensible manner. Today, at the National Police Training Academy in Belmopan, day one of a two-day training commenced. We stopped by for more information.

 

Azenette Pook, Director of Training, Belize Police Department

“Today we are having a two-day training. A two-day training is starting for senior officers of the Belize Police Department. The training is geared at strengthening the communication and public relations skills of the Senior police officers in the Belize Police Department. As the senior officers come in contact with the media because of the positions that they hold. Some of the things that they will be learning during the two-day training is, what is communication? The challenges to communication, why communicate? Building communication and listening skills. Appreciating the interpersonal nature of communication and the multiplier effect in mass communication. That is for the first day. On the second day, they are going to be taught how to successfully engage the media, what the media expects, working the key media tools, understanding journalists., framing a press release and police situation report. And using key messages to handle tough or difficult media interviews. These are some of the areas that they will be trained on during the two days training that is happening.” As I mentioned before, the officers are, because of their posts, they are in contact with the media. And so that they have an understanding of what the media expects of them whenever they are being interviewed by the media or whenever they come in contact with the media. They will be able to understand more what it is, what are the expectations of the media to dialogue better with the media whenever they are in contact with them. These are some of the reasons why this training is being held. And also communication with fellow police officers.  We expect that the skills will be enhanced for these purposes.”