The Communications Professional of the Year is Pat Wade.
Although he’s only been with the U of I Police Department for about a year, Pat has made a big difference.
Before he joined the department, they were at the mercy of Public Affairs for help with everything from writing up the daily police blotter reports to responding to crises – in real time at all hours of the day or night.
We did our best to help, but we weren’t embedded in the force and we didn’t always see things from their vantage point.
When Pat came on board, he took the time to review every communication vehicle the department used, and he carefully considered the stakeholders who received messages.
He redesigned the template for Crime Alerts to make them more meaningful and put them in context.
He guided the department into conversation on social media.
And when crisis struck, he provided ongoing, useful, accurate information through all channels the department now has.
During the investigation into the disappearance of Vicente Mundo, he was able to keep rumors to a minimum while enlisting maximum support in efforts to find the missing student.
And when the case became a murder investigation, he provided compassionate and up-to-date reports.
At a time when police officers are considered by many to be the enemy, Pat has – thoughtfully and deliberately – helped build a bridge between our police force and the community they serve.
He has humanized them, through things like the wildly popular squirrel video and the #SelfieWith UIPD Quad Day promotion.
He is creative and collaborative. He presents the UI Police Force as professional AND approachable.
He has become a resource for several area police departments that want to improve their communication with the university community.
In short, everything he does builds trust and makes our campus safer and more welcoming. He has built the Illinois brand in one of the most difficult places to do that.