Communicating Imminent Safety Threats: Understanding the Use of Emergency Alerting by Canadian Law Enforcement
| dc.contributor.author | Maier, Mandy | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2025-12-05T16:47:45Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2025-12-05T16:47:45Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2025 | |
| dc.description.abstract | Mandatory emergency alerts distributed via Canada’s National Public Alerting System (NPAS) notify of imminent safety situations and are used by police to support public safety. This mixed-methods study investigated how Canadian police navigate challenges, utilize tools and meet public expectations when communicating via emergency alert and what forms public awareness, trust and expectations regarding police communication methods during imminent safety situations. Eight interviews with Canadian police service representatives were conducted, and public survey data were collected (n = 486). Interview results indicated that police preparedness and experience affect alerting approach, alert strategy and risk impacts police decision making, alerting is influenced by external factors and alerting approach differs across police services. Survey results linked public trust in the police to communicate when an urgent threat impacts their safety and whether local police do a good job educating the public about alerts. Targeted, police-driven alerting education campaigns are recommended to expand public understanding and build trust and preparedness. | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://ec.msvu.ca/handle/10587/2369 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | Mount Saint Vincent University | |
| dc.title | Communicating Imminent Safety Threats: Understanding the Use of Emergency Alerting by Canadian Law Enforcement | |
| dc.type | Thesis |