The recent Bronze Quill awards ceremony for the Arkansas chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators handed out enough hardware to make the Emmys look stingy: 44 awards were spread around an organization with about 80 members (as well as other entrants). Per tradition, Arkansas Children's Hospital mopped up, garnering 18 awards. The most impressive part: They did it for the kids.
As its Communicator of the Year, the chapter honored Lt. Terry Hastings, the Little Rock Police Department's public affairs director. Police Chief Stuart Thomas pointed out that his post doesn't exempt Hastings from being a cop. Thomas recounted an instance when Hastings pulled over to help a traffic stop that had grown heated - "I'm sure there were profanities. It's exciting." As Hastings was cuffing a perp, the man looked back at him and exclaimed: "You're Lt. Hastings! I know you from TV!"
In accepting the award, Hastings relayed his best advice on how to deal with the media: "I say, 'You can't. Move on.'"
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