Research on Crisis Response Strategies for Police-related Online Public Opinions Based on SCCT

In order to cope with the complex situation of police-related online public opinions in China, this work explores suitable crisis response strategies based on the theory of Situational Crisis Communication Theory (SCCT). This theory can provide new ideas for properly handling of public opinion crises, and can help the police to improve the ability to respond. Through investigation and practice using domestic source data on police-related online public opinions crises, the types of public opinion crisis situations and coping strategies based on SCCT were analyzed and a “crisis situation-crisis response strategy” public opinion management mechanism was proposed. The application of this mechanism was further discussed in real-life situations through case studies. The results from this work can provide useful guidance for the response to public opinion crisis for the police.