The town of Garner is making headlines for its Police Department's fresh approach to drawing in new talent. In a nod to creative excellence, their latest recruitment video has clinched the third-place Award of Excellence from the City-County Communications & Marketing Association (3CMA), a feat for the small-town department in the national arena.
Garner's own Communications Media Coordinator Kyle Kettler spearheaded the project, weaving together real-life footage with a narrative that champions work-life balance and community engagement. The video stands out for its dedication to diversity and a candid look at the day-to-day of law enforcement. In a statement obtained by the town's official website, Communications Director Rick Mercier praised Kettler's ability, saying, "This award is very well-deserved recognition. Kyle produces so much great work in collaboration with all of the departments in our organization. He is a master storyteller," as mentioned on the Town of Garner website.
But this wasn't a solo endeavor—Kettler joined forces with Garner Police Sgt. Joseph Gomes, and together they delivered content capturing the essence of the department's commitment to its community. The result? An "evergreen" video, versatile enough for use at career fairs, school presentations, and across social media platforms, as per the Town of Garner website. Garner's efforts to present the Police Department in an appealing light seem to have paid off, as evidenced by the recognition from 3CMA, which was presented at the Savvy Awards during their annual conference, as per the information from the town's website.
The production spanned four months, a meticulous process that included shooting at various events, officer trainings and featuring officers' home-life scenes—efforts that didn't go unnoticed. The town's online announcement also detailed how the narrative was given life through the voices of its own officers, complete with voiceover narration by then Chief Lorie Smith. It's a move that marries authenticity with aspiration for potential recruits who may see the Garner Police Department as a place where their career and values can align.
The Savvy Awards, known for spotlighting exemplary communications and marketing initiatives in local government, saw over 1,100 entries across 37 categories in their latest competition. Garner's win places them among the ranks of those local government organizations recognized for innovation and skillful public engagement—a commendable achievement for the town's police force, and one that can be seen firsthand through the provided video link. The complete list of award winners is publicly available for those interested in the gamut of creative communications honored by 3CMA.
