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Public Information Officers Mid-Year Training Conference
Humber College, Toronto, ON
May 18-21, 2010
(IACP) is hosting its mid-year training conference in Toronto – the first time ever this event has ever been held outside the United States – in cooperation with the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP). This is a great opportunity for Canadian and American communications specialists to share and compare methods and experiences in this important field.
Working with Partners will examine opportunities for public information officers to establish alliances with private, public and not-for-profit sectors to communicate effectively and efficiently with internal and external audiences.
Conference Program at a Glance
Tuesday, May 18
The conference begins with an evening reception, sponsored by Humber College, on Tuesday, May 18, and will feature a Crime Stoppers update by Cal Millar, Toronto Star police reporter (retired). Cal is well-known for his more than 25 years of service to Crime Stoppers locally, nationally, and internationally. He is currently the vice chair of Halton Region Crime Stoppers ( www.haltoncrimestoppers.com) and recently returned from another international meeting of Crime Stoppers specialists in Texas.
Wednesday, May 19
On May 19, the first full day of the conference begins with an insightful presentation on Accuracy and Ethics at the Toronto Star by Kathy English, public editor for Canada’s largest daily newspaper ( www.thestar.com). Ms English will also address popular trends affecting traditional news- gathering methods by mainstream media.
A session on the Major Cities Chiefs Association’s project (funded by the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, U.S. Department of Justice) on “strategic approaches to improve communications initiatives” will provide insight into an important area of the PIO’s business: the development of a strategic approach to improve communications with citizens, media representatives and others. The project is based on the belief that improving communication and outreach improves relations with people and organizations, builds trust and respect, increases transparency, and fosters greater community engagement. It is also based on the belief that law enforcement agencies must expand their efforts to market from within.
Joe Couto, Director of Government Relations and Communications for the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police ( www.oacp.ca) will guide delegates through a theoretical review of modern approaches to lobbying and advocacy while highlighting appropriate strategies for today’s police leaders and communicators.
The Toronto Transit Commission ( www.ttc.ca) is one of the largest organizations of its kind in North America. The TTC’s relationship with local emergency services, political leaders, and millions of riders and motorists is critical to everyday operations. More recently, however, several emerging challenges have kept Toronto’s transit issues on the front page and on-line around the world. Brad Ross, Director of Corporate Communications for the TTC, is a veteran communications specialist with years of experience at city hall and on the road. He has been behind the scenes and in front of the cameras for every crisis and celebration and his story will illustrate the similarities his role has with emergency services communicators.
Robert Washburn, Professor of E-Journalism at Loyalist College in Belleville, Ontario, has made a career of studying trends in social media and the impact modern technology has had on traditional news organizations and public services ( www.loyalistcollegejournalism.ca). His presentation on the Basics of Social Journalism or Social Media 101 will provide delegates with a current review of all facets of this phenomenon. Professor Washburn will also lead a workshop on best practices in social media by examining what works and what doesn’t to give delegates information that they can apply when they return to their workplaces.
Thursday, May 19
The program for May 20 will examine the professional development of the modern public information officer and will include an address by Dr. Terry Flynn, President of the Canadian Public Relations Society ( www.cprs.ca). For more than two decades, Dr. Flynn has built an international public relations practice, specializing in risk communication and community relations. His work has taken him to North America’s most prestigious schools of public relations and communications. CPRS and its associates around the globe can provide police public information officers with a wide variety of options for professional development and insight into emerging communications methods.
Modern Chiefs of Police know that to be successful leaders they must communicate effectively with their communities and with every member of their respective organizations. Mike Ewles is Chief of the Durham Regional Police ( www.drps.ca) and his vision of a safe and secure Durham Region includes strategies and activities that establish and maintain a productive dialogue with every citizen and police service employee. Dave Selby, Director of Corporate Communications at Durham Regional Police is a member of the chief’s executive team and provides expert support to every aspect of the service’s internal and external messaging. Together, they will describe their professional relationship and the engaging way in which Durham Region citizens and police officers are kept current on public safety and crime prevention programs.
Branding and marketing! Are they the same thing? Can you tell the difference? Can one be applied without the other? Derek Johnston and Jim Letwin will answer these questions and many more. A former RCMP public relations specialist, Derek is currently the President of Face Value Communications Inc. where he continues to provide communications support and expertise to law enforcement students and executives. Jim is President and CEO of JAN Kelley Marketing ( www.jankelleymarketing.com) a Burlington, Ontario firm which enjoys an international reputation for supporting marketing efforts within public, private and not-for-profit sectors.
Are you over the Winter Olympics? For many police officers in the Greater Toronto Area who served in Vancouver during the Games, the Olympics were just a warm-up for the G20 Economic Summit to be held this June in Toronto. Superintendent Tom Russell of the Toronto Police Service ( www.torontopolice.on.ca) has been at the centre of most major events in Toronto over the past 25 years and the G20 meeting is shaping up to be the most challenging of his career. Tom will share some insight into his role and the important requirements he has for managing internal and external communications while planning for and executing this important mission.
A presentation on a US-based strategy for improving police/public communications and a tour/presentation at one of Toronto’s busiest newsrooms are currently being developed. Representatives of the Ontario Association of Media Relations Officers (OMRON), the IACP Public Information Officers Section (PIO), and recently-appointed police PIOs will be on-hand to share their experiences and to elaborate on the services they provide to everyday police communicators.
Friday, May 21
Conference proceedings for the morning of May 21 st will begin at the new Toronto Police College with a presentation by Rakesh Agrawal of SnapStream Media ( www.snapstream.com) accompanied by PIOs who have benefitted from their technical assistance in Canada and the United States.
The conference will conclude with a presentation by Charles Lawrence, Director of the Toronto Police College, highlighting his research into the field of police intervention systems and implications for communicators. Having served as an officer with the Metropolitan Toronto Police and a senior instructor at the Ontario Police College, Chuck’s career in the field of police education and executive development has been complemented by a personal commitment to community service and maintaining confidence in public institutions.
Canadian Delegates:
Registration fee - $150 plus GST
- On-line registration at http://www.confmanager.com/main.cfm?cid=2073&tid=32
- Fax to 416-926-0436
- Mail to Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police, 40 College Street, Suite 605, Toronto, ON M5G 2J3 (Please make cheques payable to the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police)
American Delegates:
Registration fee - $150 (Canadian Dollars)
Please Note: when paying with an American credit card, currency exchange will be at the daily rate applicable by your credit card company
- On-line registration at http://www.confmanager.com/main.cfm?cid=2075&tid=32
- Fax to 416-926-0436
- Mail to Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police, 40 College Street, Suite 605, Toronto, ON M5G 2J3 (Please make cheques payable to the International Association of Chiefs of Police PIO Section)
Modest suite-style accommodations are available in the student residence at the Humber College Lakeshore Campus (3199 Lakeshore Boulevard West, Toronto, ON M8V 1K8). One-bedroom suites are $57 per night + taxes. Two-bedroom suites are $67 per night + taxes. To reserve accommodations by April 30, 2010, call 1-888-548-6327 (toll free) and press 2 for Lakeshore Campus, then press 3 for Reservations. Rates quotes are for “Police Public Info Officers”. Visa and MasterCard accepted. Visit www.conference.humber.ca for additional details.
Please see the attached Canadian & American registration forms.
For more information, please contact Christina Forsythe at 416-926-0424 ext. 23 or events@oacp.ca |
Seminars & Events
August 1, 2010
