Central Michigan University’s police chief has always said, “It isn’t matter of if a shooting will happen, it is a matter of when.” At CMU, “when” happened the morning of March 2, 2018. A student shot and killed his parents in his residence hall room on CMU’s campus. He then led police on a 15-hour manhunt that had Central’s campus — and surrounding communities — on high alert. Working closely with the CMU Police Department, administration and staff across campus, and community partners, the University Communications team led the communication efforts that helped ensure safety and calm throughout the day and night.
From the Judges
This application was distinguished by the inclusion of “five communication lessons learned”. It shows a team deeply conscious of the preparation required for effective crisis communication. It also shows their ability to adapt to a situation as it evolves and to attend to the requirements of multiple audiences (affected constituencies) over time. The use of an emergency website for regular up-to-date information was also noted as an effective tool for crisis communication.
