The IRE Resource Center is a major research library containing more than 23,250 investigative stories — both print and broadcast. Add to that more than 3,000 tipsheets from our national conferences on how to cover specific beats or do specific stories and you have a resource that no reporter or editor should be without. These stories and tipsheets are searchable online or by contacting the Resource Center directly (573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org) where a researcher can help you pinpoint what you need. Browse or search the tipsheet section of our library below. Logged-in members can view the tipsheets free online:
Search results for "first day on the beat" ...
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First Day on the Beat: Covering Cops
Barton's tipsheet offers a list of 15 items of vital importance when covering law enforcement - from obtaining lists of sworn officers to securing statistics regarding police officers' use of force.
Tags: police; law enforcement; cops; first day on the beat; civil court records; accident reports; use of force;
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First Day on the Military Beat
Some basic guidlines on reporting on the military as well as some sources that can be used. Also a copy of the 2005 "Annual Report to the President and Congress" by Rumsfeld is attached.
Tags: military; defense; department of defense; navy; army; marines; beat reporting
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Getting started on the cops beat
Ploheski's tipsheet is a guide for new crime reporters who want to excel immediately. It contains advice for cultivating sources, establishing your presence, obtaining records, and being thorough. It also includes one of Plohetski's crime stories for the Austin-American Statesman.
Tags: crime; police; law enforcement; justice system; criminals; jail; prison; victims; murder; cops
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Tools for the investigative education reporter
Hobbs suggests what types of information to seek out when investigating school districts. Recommended information ranges from state- and district-generated databases to contact information of school employees.
Tags: education; schools; databases; teachers; school administration; public employees; contracts; educators
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First day on the Beat: Investigating Education
Burney provides readers with five story ideas to turn education into a watchdog beat. Examples include criminal background checks and the superintendent's contract. En espanol: #2903
Tags: education; school; school district; school board
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Military Records and Useful Web sites
Capaccio's tipsheet is packed with information about how to cover the military. He lists websites to research budgets and weapons, personnel deployment, Iraq contractor deaths, and military audits.He also tells you how to get the Pentagon Current News Early Bird news summary, and gives samples of some of the above-listed reports.
Tags: Pentagon; budgets; Iraq web sites; statistics; military personnel; procurement; military contractors
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Investigating the Police
Migoya leads newcomers to the crime beat in a step-by-step tipsheet that covers the basics and even delves into creating and analyzing databases. The two stories he references in the tipsheet are available to order.
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Six Key Records for the Local Government Beat
From payroll to city property, Mansur lists six records every reporter covering the local government beat should obtain.
Tags: local government; beat reporting; public records; city officials; personnel and payroll records; budget; finance; early-retirement programs; cell phone records; property; inspection records; investigative reporting
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Tips for the first day on local government
Wright offers six tips for reporters wanting to make a good first impression for lasting success on the local government beat.
Tags: local government; beat reporting; first impression; source relationships; investigative reporting
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Tips for Covering the Police Beat
This tipsheet offers ideas for reporters new to the police beat. Included are ideas and suggestions for working on larger stories while keeping up with the daily beat.
Tags: police; crime; story ideas; sources