Role and status of communication experts in the police

Abstract

<jats:p>Police work is constantly at the forefront of media coverage and public interest – there are only few State Institutions that are subject to as much media and public attention as the police. Public relations, therefore, shape its image importantly, and, at the same time, differ from the public relations in public administration and the private sector due to its specific nature. The article discusses the work of Slovenian police communication experts, their position and status, as well as their position in comparison with their foreign colleagues, and communicators in the public and private sectors. We examined the content and systemic limitations of Slovenian police communication experts and found that they are faced with lack of media experience, appropriate education and knowledge of contemporary skills. Key reasons for this situation are several: An inadequate staffing policy, organisation, implementation of public relations and lack of employee training. These limitations are also the main factors why police communication experts devote most of their time to the technical level of public relations, even if, for higher quality and modern public relations, they should act more often in a strategic role.</jats:p>