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Week 8 Assignment

Robert Leach

Walden University

Crisis communication

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Crisis communication is a necessary practice in today’s society. The manner a crisis is

handled plays a major part in the success or failure of a company after a business. There are

different fields of enterprise and personal life effected by a crisis because the world is watching

to see how those involved respond. In this paper, I have compiled examples of crisis and a

response to each.

Brain injuries

Dear NFL players,

The issue of brain damage of current and former players resulting from repeated untreated

concussions has become a major concern of the league. The NFL has not ignored the concern for

player safety; we acknowledge the possible link to dementia and player suicide because of head

injuries. Allegations “the NFL exacerbated the health risk by promoting the game’s violence and

deliberately” and “fraudulently mislead players about the link between concussions and long

term brain injuries” are not accurate.

Our effort to restore trust in the relationship between NFL families and NFL leadership starts

with the NFL donating $30 million dollars the National Institutes of Health for brain related

research and changes made in the concussion policies. Standardize tests will be implemented in

the league to determine a players ability to return to the field after a violent collision. We are

seeking changes in the equipment used to provide better protection for players.

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Player safety is the primary concern of the league the athlete comes first. Our goal is to change

the culture of the league by educating players at all levels. We understand our players are role

models to young men and women playing the game. Responsibility for safety of the next

generation does rest on the players, it rest on the league. We accept this responsibility and

continue to take the necessary steps to make this game safe for all levels of participation.

Football is the most popular game in America; we want to make it the safest also.

http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/star-rookie-linebacker-walks-away-from-nfl-over-concussion-

fears

Drone attacks

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Religious infidelity

I want to take this opportunity to say to my wife “I deeply regret my actions.” I am accused of

indiscretions which have caused embarrassment for you, our family and the congregation of New

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Birth Missionary Baptist Church. I understand this is a difficult time and I am prepared to accept

the outcome and the take the necessary steps to regain your trust.

To my church family I say, “I am truly sorry and pray you find forgiveness in your hearts.”

There are no excuses for my actions. This crisis has cost this church body in terms of money and

reputation. I appreciate the outpouring of love I have received from many and I understand the

expressions of disappointment from others. This is where I want to say I am only human,

however that will not repair the damage done.

To the young men involved, your standing up and exposing my improprieties have marked the

start of a new chapter in your lives as well as mine. I hope you will continue to follow a path of

truth in all areas of life so others may experience the freedom truth brings. Please forgive me and

accept, this is no fault of yours. I abused my position as your spiritual leader, an offense.

I am resigning from leadership of the church immediately, replaced by a Pastor of your choosing.

The mission of the church remains the first priority. My mission is to rebuild what I have

destroyed in my family.

Sincerely

Bishop Eddie Long

Duke Energy

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Op-ED

A house divided will not stand; no truer words have been spoken. Will someone please tell the

Democratic Party, your failure support the President Obama’s trade agreement will cost your

ability to set future economic policy? The work of House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi has

been without a positive result, her weakened hand could not sway the vote of the Democratic

Party.

The Democratic Party has abandoned President Obama, the party he represents. Is this because

they are not able to see the need for globalization or is this an effort to separate from this man of

color before the next Presidential election. The fact you voted against the Trans-Pacific

Partnership is acceptable, it is the reasons you give, and I bring to question.

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According to Pelosi’s letter to the Party after killing the legislation, “Stopping the fast-track bill

was their way to leverage support for a massive infrastructure bill” is the reason. Others of the

Democratic say, the issue is the TPP and this is an effort to get TPP on the right track. A desire

to force the administration to reopen portions of the negotiations with Pacific Rim nations.

There is still another group admitting no desire for advantage. These Democratic will block any

trade deals, even if it means losing the worker assistance program. At least Rep Daniel Kildee

(D-Mich) had the heart to speak the truth. “If I’m opposed to fast track authority, it’s logical that

I would use every tool that I can to try to stop it”

A house divided cannot stand; get ready for the Democratic Party to fall. A Party so divided it is

willing to put the future of the American Global economic position at risk simply to prepare for

the next election.

Legal Risk

The purpose of this paper is to analysis the risk related to a chosen crisis within the last 3 years. I

will analyze the legal risk of the hanging of Kalief Browder a 22-year-old black male, who spent

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3 years in Riker’s Island as a teenager for a crime he did not commit. Kalief spent an

accumulated 2 years in solitary confinement, when incarcerated on Riker’s Island. I will address

the legal risk for the New York Department of Corrections.

Crisis

In 2010, Mr. Kalief Brown was on his way home from a party in the Bronx. According to

Kalief “This guy comes out of nowhere and says I robbed him. The next thing I know they are

putting cuffs on me. I don’t know this dude and I do over three years for something I didn’t do”

(Harrington Dia, 2013). After being incarcerated for almost 3 years and refusing to take plea,

Kalief is released without explanation. On June 6, 2015, Kalief hung himself with an air

conditioner cord. An act believed to be a result of his teenage incarceration.

Risk

The New York department of corrections faces a number of legal risks related to the

incarceration of Kalief. Kalief he was not granted a speedy trial, an assurance granted by the

“Speedy Trial Act of 1974”. The Act was adopted to minimize long and largely unregulated

delays in bringing criminal defendants to trial” (Holland, 2015).

The 3-year period of incarceration for this 16 year old exposed to the effects of

imprisonment. “Many social scientists have speculated about the harmful effects of

imprisonment. Geoffman (1961) described a process called mortification of the self in which an

inmate’s self-respect and dignity are slowly undermined through exposure to prison’s

dehumanizing conditions” (Bukstel & Kilman, 1980, p. 469). At an age when most young men

are navigating the waters of high school, the system denied Kalief the opportunity to complete

his education.

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Civil Litigation

The risk of civil litigation against the New York Department of Corrections is high.

According to Lukaszewski,

“In civil litigation, the individual or organization that sues is called the plaintiff. The

action is usually for money, for money, but it can also be for a variety of other claims

involving injury, or damages such as libel, loss of entitlements, loss of property or

contract enforcement” (Lukaszewski, 2013, p. 292).

Because Kalief was incarcerated without cause and was not granted the speedy trial guaranteed

by law the probability of civil litigation is present. The deterioration of his mental state because

of the torture and abuse of inmates and guards may be the point of focus in this civil litigation.

Criminal Litigation

New York’ Department of Corrections may also face criminal litigation on behalf of the

Browder incident. The treatment of Mr. Browder is “egregious negligence” by the correctional

system. A system intended to rehabilitate those guilty of committing this crime has broken a

young man who has not been found guilty. One of the areas on negligence the states is

responsible for is Browder’s mental health.

According to Bristel and Kilman; “A gradual, insidious increase in deviant tendencies is

more likely to be experienced by those inmates characterized as sociopaths or borderline

personalities…therefore it is reasonable to recommend that only the most dangerous offenders

should be confined in maximum security institutions(National Council on Crime and

Delinquency, 1975)” (Bukstel & Kilman, 1980, p. 488). Mr. Browder asked for mental treatment

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during his incarceration and tried multiple times to end his life while on the Island. However, the

state did get help for him.

Preparation

In the event the family seek civil or criminal litigation for Mr. Browder, it is important to

be prepared.

“All contact with the press, phone calls, and questions or messages should be handled by

the designated spokesperson. Also any face to face meetings and attorneys speaking to

the press should be discussed with the designated spokesperson” (Lukaszewski, 2013, p.

306).

Actions of the attorneys can be detrimental to the outcome of the case, so it imperative to control

the actions of the State’s legal representatives.

If the lawyers speak to press they should use positive declarative language. “Positive,

declarative language is quite often truthful language…positive language tends to cause calmness

and detoxify arguments” (Lukaszewski, 2013, p. 307). Removal of negative language

communication can serve to lessen the tension or anger of the plaintiff, in the case the family of

Mr. Browder.

In an effort to maintain the reputation of the Department of Corrections, we should be

ready to settle sooner than later. The longer this issue is in the public eye, more damage done to

the reputation of the judicial system in New York State. “Settlement activity often eliminates or

substantially reduces litigation visibility…It is difficult to be conciliatory in private and

combative in front of the television cameras” (Lukaszewski, 2013, p. 312)

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Conclusion

On June 6, 2015, 2 years after being wrongfully incarcerated on Riker’s Island, hung

himself. This paper is a legal risk analysis for the Department of Corrections of the state of New

York. The legal risks resulting from Mr. Browder’s suicide are civil and criminal litigation due

to negligence by the State. In conjunction with litigation, the actions of the lawyers handling the

case pose a risk. All communication coming from the legal team should come through a

designated spokesperson. Any litigation will can do damage to the reputation of the New York

judicial system, so it is suggested to be prepared to make a settlement sooner than later if

necessary. This will lessen the visibility of the crisis and provide some degree of reputation

control, because the people still need to believe in the court system.

Works Cited

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Bukstel, L. H., & Kilman, P. R. (1980). Psychological effects of imprisionment on confined individuals.

Psychological Bulletin, 88(2), 469-493.

Harrington Dia. (2013, Nov 25). News One. News One for Black America. Interactive One LLC.

Holland, B. (2015). The two sided speedy trial problem.

Lukaszewski, J. E. (2013). Lukaszewski on crisis communication: What your CEO needs to know about

reputation risk and crisis management. Brookfield, Connecticut: Rothstein Associates Inc.