This resource is from the News section. This page contains the MPA Media and Communications Strategy.

Sections available here:

• Media and Communications Strategy
  • March 2004 – February 2005

Media and Communications Strategy

March 2004 – February 2005

Introduction

1. The Metropolitan Police Authority's mission is to secure an effective, efficient and fair police service for London’s communities.
2. Devising and implementing an effective media and communications strategy is necessary, therefore, to promote the work of the MPA and raise awareness of and support for its statutory role.
3. In this way, we can explain to a wide and diverse audience how the MPA carries out its key functions, its responsibility of holding the Metropolitan Police to account and how we work in partnership to achieve our mission, vision and values.
4. As the largest police authority in the country – we oversee a budget of around £2.5 billion and a police service of 42,000 staff – we are accountable for our actions and performance, and it is important that we are seen to be open and transparent in everything we do.
5. A strong publicity programme that disseminates fast, accurate and reliable information is essential if we are to maintain the support of our partners and, more importantly, of Londoners. It also encourages greater debate, dialogue and feedback from our key stakeholders and communities, helping us to make better judged and informed decisions.
6. The communications strategy that follows outlines our aims, methods and objectives in achieving positive publicity for the Authority and how we intend to disseminate information both internally and externally. It also provides a framework for our detailed work plans as well as enabling us to deal with the inevitable unforeseen emergencies.

External communications

Aim

7. The Communications Unit undertakes to work effectively with our Chair, Members, senior management team, policy officers and partners to promote our vision, mission and values and identify those areas that need to be explained and promoted internally and externally through a variety of communications channels and tools. We will also support the MPA’s consultative role in listening and feeding back information to the community.

Objectives

8. Promote the work of the MPA and raise awareness and understanding of and support for its statutory and consultative roles.
9. Ensure the fast, accurate and reliable dissemination of information to our external partners and London’s diverse and hard to hear groups.
10. Maintain a good working relationship with media representatives and our partners so that we can share information that promotes greater understanding and support.

Activities

11. Provide a press and public relations service during office hours, Monday – Friday, and an on-call duty press officer available at all other times.
12. Provide a strategic overview of our communications strategy and management of internal and external communications in all its forms.
13. Advise MPA Members and staff on all media and communications issues.
14. Support MPA Members and staff with the development and implementation of specific communications strategies in relation to the work of the Authority and, where necessary, its partners.
15. Assist with the management of public events.
16. Provide a rapid rebuttal service to counter inaccurate or misleading information from third parties. This includes media monitoring to alert the Authority to notable current and contentious issues.
17. Provide essential and background briefing for Members or partners, based on information provided by MPA policy teams and/or external partners, including the Metropolitan Police and London borough councils.
18. Provide a speech-writing service to MPA Members in support of their work for the Authority, with material being supplied by MPA policy teams as necessary.
19. Oversee the MPA content of annual reports and policing and performance plans.
20. Act as custodian of the corporate logo and house style.
21. Liaise with our partners on all aspects of communications as they affect the work of the MPA.
22. Reflect and promote diversity, equality, partnership and consultation through all areas of work.
23. Look for opportunities to issue positive statements that will help reassure Londoners that we are working towards establishing an effective and efficient police service that offers best value, fairness and transparency.
24. Write and issue statements, press releases and articles for Members on a wide range of MPA-related business.
25. Arrange and oversee provision of broadcast interviews for ACPO recruitment.
26. Manage the provision of broadcast interview and media awareness training for MPA Members.
27. Set up and manage the Communications and Policy Liaison Group to identify key initiatives and work that would benefit from external publicity.
28. Liaise with the Metropolitan Police, GLA, London boroughs, government agencies and other partners on the formulation of media strategies, as necessary.

Last updated 8 March 2004

The following pages on the MPA website are relevant:

• Press releases
• About MPA
  Information on what the MPA is, why it exists, what its tasks are, and how it is structured.
• MPA contact information
  Contact information for the MPA including map of location
• Freedom of Information
  Sets out information we routinely make publicly available and how members of the public can ask the MPA for other information.