Blogtown just returned from media cop school, for newly promoted sergeants.

First thing learned: Don’t offer donuts. …or doughnuts, however you spell them, to cops, if you’re looking to win them over. Luckily Police Chief Rosie Sizer spotted Blogtown’s dozen-box of Voodoo Doughnuts before we went in to meet the Bureau’s new sergeants this afternoon, and warned they might be seen as a little cheeky.

The donuts/doughnuts were quickly checked outside the training room, and ended up being eaten by Central Precinct’s roll-call officers—who apparently were willing to suspend their moral outrage over this whopping professional discourtesy in exchange for, well, a donut, actually. But thanks, Chief, for a faux-pas avoided…

Second thing learned: Understanding. Cops don’t really mind what stories you write, as long as you do your best to understand their perspective and the challenges they face on the job—and give them a chance to defend themselves against any allegations made in print. To do that, you need to go on ride-alongs and meet as many officers, personally, as possible. It’s a tall order, and looks to be a lot of work. The temptation, as always, is just to half-ass it.

Third thing learned: Don’t half-ass it. The conversation was “off the record,” so I can’t give details. But it seems that for most reporters, it’s a lot harder to get both sides of the story than go for a quick “hit-job” on the cops. Understandably, that can cause the cops to resent media coverage, and ultimately, for the quality of that coverage to deteriorate as a result, because less officers want to talk. Breaking that cycle of perceived laziness, leading to mistrust, is the challenge.

Incidentally, I know it’s stereotypical and all, but anyone wishing to win over a Mercury reporter with a bottle of scotch, well, it wouldn’t exactly offend…donuts are also welcome, any time. Just so that’s out there, you understand.