When emergency services step back from the conversation, social media doesn’t wait to fill the space. The new Policing and Media Charter sets out a more open approach, writes Dee Cowburn, arguing it could help rebuild trust and improve how information flows in fast-moving incidents.

Police chiefs and media organisations have published a Charter that resets the relationship between them, laying the foundation for conversations and engagement that is based on mutual respect, courtesy and cooperation.

Updated national guidance on police communications has been published by the College of Policing, setting clearer expectations for how forces engage with the public and accredited media in an era of rapid online information sharing. 

Ashleigh Davies reports on the past year working on the Youth Advisory Group with YourPoliceUK, and how conversations have impacted the wider policing world.

Reflecting on the NPCC / APCC conference, Amanda Coleman notes that while the conversations seem to be the same since her time in the sector, more emphasis on communications is key to progress in policing.

Crisis communications expert Amanda Coleman reflects on lessons from the Manchester Arena bombing, Heathrow’s 24-hour shutdown and the evolving role of social media – and shares why every organisation needs to test their plans before disaster strikes.

The relationship between the police and the media needs to improve but the issues are not confined to the UK as this follow up from a US-based writer shows.

One year on from a report that set out how to improve the relationship between the media and the police, the Crime Reporters Association says progress needs to be ‘harder and faster’ as the basic building blocks are still not in place.

Many emergency services are rejecting social media platform X as the site’s controversial presence drives services to look at alternative ways to communicate with the public for warning, informing and community engagement. 

Following another successful conference last November, which saw over 400 delegates in attendance, FIRE 2022 is set to return later…