Hype, headlines and high profile cases : J. Edgar Hoover, print media and the career trajectories of top North Carolina G-Men, 1937-1972

• Main Author: Bailey, James A.
• Published: Swansea University 2003
• Subjects: 970
• Online Access: https://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.636003

This thesis examines the relationship between J. Edgar Hoover and North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation directors and their career trajectories from 1937 to 1972 as a result of their public relations practices in high profile case investigations in the print media. Although researchers argue that leadership characteristics impact law enforcement executives' careers, an overlooked component is the relationship between directors' career trajectories and print media when reporting on high profile cases. This thesis examines the consequences of high profile case investigations in the print media and directors' career trajectories. Namely, J. Edgar Hoover and State Bureau of Investigation directors' career trajectories are examined to demonstrate how directors used the print media to prolong their tenure. This thesis argues that State Bureau of Investigation directors modeled their public relations style in the print media and high profile investigations after Hoover's in order to accomplish a positive career trajectory. This thesis also argues that career trajectory outcomes of State Bureau of Investigation directors who emulated Hoover's style of using the print media in high profile investigations were distinguished by prolonged career tenures. State Bureau of Investigation directors less efficacious in emulating Hoover's style were characterized with negative career trajectories. In order to better understand this career advancement outcome, the research problem is examined on the basis of a triangular relationship between Hoover's public relations practices, the State Bureau of Investigation's public relations practices that were modeled after Hoover, and print media's coverage of high profile case investigations from both agencies. This thesis concludes that there is a direct correlation between law enforcement directors' career advancements and their public relations practices related to print media coverage of high profile cases.