Videos: Bloodiest PSA Ever Wins Award for Denver Cops

Back in June 2014, we declared a Denver Police Department video showing law-enforcement training for active-shooter scenarios to be the bloodiest public-service announcement ever. "The footage includes gunshots, explosions, hysterical screaming, open wounds, draining blood and bodies everywhere, supplemented by looks behind the scenes and one participant's analysis of what...

By Michael Roberts

April 28, 2015

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Back in June 2014, we declared a Denver Police Department video showing law-enforcement training for active-shooter scenarios to be the bloodiest public-service announcement ever.

"The footage includes gunshots, explosions, hysterical screaming, open wounds, draining blood and bodies everywhere, supplemented by looks behind the scenes and one participant's analysis of what officers did wrong," we wrote, adding, "The result may be the first public-service video that's not safe for work.

Apparently, the folks at the Radio Television Digital News Association aren't allergic to gore, because they recognized the video, formally known as Active Shooter: It's Not a Matter of If, with a regional Edward R. Murrow Award — one of four won by the DPD for a total of three clips.

Active Shooter was feted for best video feature reporting in the Non-Broadcast Affiliated Organizations/Small Online News Organization category for RTDNA's region three, which includes Denver. In addition, An Officer's Life at 5280: The Decision to Shoot received praise for best use of video. And An Officer's Life at 5280: Coach Sloan won in two categories: best video sports and best video documentary.

According to the DPD, which has also been putting sexually violent predator announcements on YouTube of late, the three winning videos "will compete nationally with other organizations and the winners will be announced in June."

Check out all three winners below.

Send your story tips to the author, Michael Roberts.

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

Contact: Michael Roberts

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