OPPA website is a how-to

PubSecAlliance is proud to have the Ontario Provincial Police Association (OPPA) on board as founding member. This forward thinking organization has one hell of an impressive website. Generally speaking, websites aren’t necessarily something that police associations would spend a lot of time and resources on but a really good site is a great way to move the mission of the group forward.

If you have a moment, head on over to www.oppa.ca/ and give it a look.

Check out this video which we think is among the most effective we’ve seen.

One of the serious challenges for police associations is proactive and real-time public relations. Far too often groups find themselves at a disadvantage in the media game because they’re reactive as opposed to proactive. In other words the association is dealing with a narrative that’s already been defined by everyone but police professionals and the organizations serving their interests.

But in the internet age where things move faster than the speed of sound it’s important to use every tool at our disposal in order to generate understanding and good will among the communities we serve and protect as well as public officials, media outlets and everyone else.

Another critical mission for police associations is educating people outside of law enforcement about what groups like the OPPA, the PBA and the FOP are all about.

Here’s the mission statement from the OPPA site. It doesn’t get much better than this:

The OPP Association works on behalf of all civilian and non-commissioned uniform Members of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP). There are over 6,200 uniform and approximately 3,600 civilian members who belong to the Association.

While our members are looking out for our communities, the Association is looking out for them. As their sole bargaining agent, we represent members’ interests in negotiations with the employer (the Ontario government). However, an equally important task is the promotion of healthy, safe work environments. We advocate for better tools and equipment, improved health and safety standards, and better supports for members suffering operational stress injuries, among other things. These improvements help keep our members — and our communities — productive and safe.

That’s the kind of PR than can have a major impact when voters are wavering between a union-busting, anti-government extremist like San Jose mayoral candidate Chuck Reed and someone that understands and is committed to the traditional public safety mission – as opposed to the Walmart Police Department. (Google it.)