Police-Media Relations at Critical Incidents: Interviews from Oklahoma City

Abstract

The policing of critical incident scenes, including natural disasters, hazardous materials spills, hostage situations, and terrorist attacks, has become an especially salient topic in the post-September 11 environment. Given the attention-grabbing nature of these events, police administrators are often faced with the task of building and maintaining relationships with members of the media at these scenes, primarily reporters and their crews who often pursue goals that are in direct conflict with those of law enforcement. This article examines the issues related to police—media relations at critical incident scenes using interview data from subjects involved in policing the scene of the Oklahoma City bombing and the related trials of Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols. These interviews provide a context for the presentation of guidelines important to police administrators who must be able to forge successful relationships with the media at critical incidents.