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Summary:  In this episode of the PIO podcast, Sergeant Carla Burr from the Amarillo Police Department shares her extensive journey in law enforcement, detailing her transition from dispatcher to Public Information Officer. She discusses the department's structure, the importance of community engagement through social media, and her experiences working with local media. Carla also highlights the challenges of handling missing persons cases and the value of podcasting for raising awareness about cold cases and fostering collaboration within the community. In this engaging conversation, Carla Burr discusses her experiences in law enforcement, focusing on community engagement, the challenges of recruitment, and the importance of effective communication. She shares insights on managing the agency's website, training for crisis communication, and the role of social media policies. Carla also highlights her use of AI tools like ChatGPT to enhance her writing and communication efforts. As she reflects on her career goals and aspirations, she emphasizes the significance of kindness and community support in law enforcement.

Carla's BIO: Carla Burr has been with the Amarillo Police Department since 1993, starting as a dispatcher before becoming an officer in 1996 (FIGHTING 66th ACADEMY). She was assigned evening patrol and later served as a field training officer. In 2001, Carla joined the School Liaison \program, where she was promoted to Corporal and became a Hostage Negotiator. In 2009, she
was promoted to Sergeant and was assigned to the Robbery and Domestic Violence Squad. From 2012 to 2015, she was assigned as the Academy Sergeant and spent time as a patrol Sergeant. In 2015, Carla was assigned as a Dispatch Supervisor/Liaison for 3 years. Since 2018, Carla has served as the department’s public information officer. She is one of the coaches for the academy's fitness program and a member of the Peer Support team. Outside of work, she coaches at CrossFit 806 and volunteers with organizations like Amarillo Area CASA, the Lone Star Runners Club, and Special Olympics. She cherishes her close-knit community, her loving family spread across the country, and, of course, her three spoiled dogs.

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Summary: In this episode of the PIO podcast, Jen Longaecker, the Deputy Communications Director for the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, shares her unique journey from journalism to public safety communications. She discusses the challenges faced during the 2020 civil unrest, the importance of social media in crisis management, and the strategies employed to engage the community and recruit new law enforcement personnel. Jen emphasizes the significance of storytelling in public safety communications and the need for effective messaging templates to navigate crises. In this conversation, Jen Longaecker discusses the evolving role of law enforcement and the importance of community engagement. She highlights the challenges faced by communications professionals in adapting to changing media consumption habits and the impact of AI on storytelling. Jen shares her aspirations in crisis communication and offers valuable advice for aspiring public information officers, emphasizing the importance of genuine storytelling and preparedness in crises. The discussion concludes with key takeaways on effective communication strategies and the importance of curiosity in the field.

Jen's BIO:  Jen Longaecker has worked for the Department of Public Safety since 2013 in a variety of roles. She began her time with DPS as a public information officer for the State Fire Marshal division and Office of Pipeline Safety. She also served as DPS’ social media manager and staff photographer. Jen left DPS briefly to work as a communications manager for a Twin Cities suburb but returned to DPS and is currently the deputy communications director, leading a team of 25 communications specialists and public information officers. 

Jen has experience handling strategic communications and social media messaging during critical incidents. 

She was in the joint information center during the historic civil unrest following the death of George Floyd and the killing of Daunte Wright, and also developed strategic communication for the COVID-19 pandemic and Line 3 pipeline construction. Jen has taken photos at several funerals for Minnesota fallen first responders and has helped local agencies with crisis communications and media relations.

Before coming to DPS, Jen was a 911 dispatcher for the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. Jen spent the early stages of her career as a newspaper editor and reporter covering public safety and courts. 

Jen lives in the Twin Cities with her husband and her dog, a pug named Evie. In her spare time, she plays the saxophone in two swing bands and is training to provide PIO support on large-scale fires and other emergencies across the country. 

Jen is a University of Wisconsin-River Falls graduate.

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Summary: In this episode of the PIO podcast, Robert Tornabene interviews Megan Black, the Public Information Officer for the Renton Police Department. Megan shares her journey from a long career in broadcast journalism to her current role in law enforcement communications. She discusses the importance of community engagement, the role of crime analysis in effective communication, and the significance of storytelling in law enforcement. Megan emphasizes the need for transparency and building relationships with the media, as well as her thoughts on the impact of artificial intelligence in the field. The conversation concludes with rapid-fire questions that reveal Megan's insights and values.

Meeghan's BIO: Meeghan Black is the Communications and Community Engagement Manager for the Renton Police Department. Before joining RPD, Meeghan served as the Public Information Officer for the Bellevue Police Department and had a nearly three-decade-long career in broadcast journalism. During both careers, Meeghan has covered natural disasters, protests, riots during 2020, a line-of-duty death, officer misconduct, and other issues.

Meeghan is a native of the Seattle area and has lived in Renton with her husband and daughter for the past 20 years. 

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In this episode, retired Chief of Police Thomas Weitzel discusses his extensive career in law enforcement, the challenges posed by the Safety Act in Illinois, and the implications for policing and community safety. He emphasizes the need for proactive policing, the importance of maintaining high standards for officers, and the role of social media in shaping public perception. Weitzel also addresses the impact of recent youth crime incidents and the necessity for transparency and communication between law enforcement and the community. He advocates for legislative reforms to improve policing standards and officer morale, while sharing personal insights on leadership and community engagement.

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Summary: In this episode of the PIO podcast, host Robert Tornabene interviews Brent Patterson, the Public Information Officer and Media Relations Director at the Madison County Sheriff's Department in Huntsville, Alabama. Brent shares his unique journey from law enforcement to becoming a PIO, discussing the challenges and responsibilities of the role, the importance of social media in law enforcement, and the impact of AI on public relations. He emphasizes the need for transparency and community engagement while reflecting on personal insights and experiences throughout his career.

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Summary: In this episode, Leah Tedesco, a senior consultant at Social Simulator, discusses the importance of crisis communication preparedness and the role of Public Information Officers (PIOs) in crisis management. She explains how Social Simulator's platform replicates various communication channels to train organizations in effectively handling crises. Leah highlights the challenges posed by misinformation and the need for PIOs to adapt to new technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI) and deepfakes. The conversation also explores the future of crisis communication training and the importance of adopting a holistic approach to crisis management.

Leah's BIO: Leah is a Senior Consultant at Social Simulator. She helps design webinars, crisis preparedness training, and social media strategies to help clients build confidence in their digital presence. Leah takes a human-centered approach to social media strategy, working to understand broader communicative values and using that insight to inform how individuals interact with social media. Leah holds an MA in Anthropology from the University of Virginia, with a focus on linguistic and communicative practices in online spaces.

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Episode Summary: In this conversation, Sam Toles from Civic Social discusses the innovative approach of empowering Public Information Officers (PIOs) in local governments to effectively engage with their communities through social media. He emphasizes the importance of authenticity, strategic planning, and the need for a modern approach to communication that resonates with younger audiences. Toles shares insights on navigating social media algorithms, the significance of platforms like TikTok, and the pitfalls of relying on traditional marketing strategies and style guides. The discussion highlights the transformative potential of social media in public relations and the necessity for government agencies to adapt to the evolving digital landscape. In this conversation, Sam Toles and Robert Tornabene discuss the importance of social media in government communication, emphasizing the need for a culture of content creation within local government. They explore real-world case studies that demonstrate the positive impact of effective social media strategies, highlighting the role of public information officers (PIOs) in fostering community engagement and trust. Toles shares personal insights and anecdotes that illustrate the challenges and successes of implementing these strategies, ultimately advocating for a proactive approach to government communication.

Sam's BIO: Sam Toles is a former local elected official and one of the world’s top experts in digital media and communications. 

 Leveraging over two decades of experience at the intersection of content strategy, technology, and public service, Sam launched CiviSocial, a first-of-its-kind approach designed exclusively for local government communicators who want to cut through the noise, reduce the negativity, and reach their communities effectively.  

 Before founding CiviSocial, Sam served as Chief Content Officer at Bleacher Report and led digital media strategies at major brands including MGM Studios. He’s also run a social media platform as the General Manager of Vimeo. His expertise in content creation, digital storytelling, and audience engagement has driven billions of interactions across the medium. 

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Summary: In this episode of the PIO podcast, Robert Tornabene interviews Amy Maxwell, the public relations manager for the Hamilton County Office of Emergency Management in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Amy shares her journey from working in cardiology to emergency management, detailing her responsibilities as the sole public information officer. She discusses her daily tasks, including managing social media, community engagement, and crisis communication. Amy also highlights the importance of weather radios, the adoption of new alert systems, and her passion for photography and the use of AI in emergency services. The conversation concludes with rapid-fire questions and Amy's insights on organization and continuous learning in her field.

Amy's BIO: Maxwell provides creative support for internal and external communication efforts for HCOEM and 13 volunteer fire/rescue agencies, including print publications, websites, electronic communication, community engagements, media, and video productions. She is the administrator for ten social media accounts and a webmaster for five websites. She prepares Integrated Public Alert Warning System (IPAWS) messages for Emergency Notifications for the public and HCOEM Emergency Notification System, REGROUP.

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Summary: In this episode, Amanda Schoepp, a digital content editor at Hyatt Hotels Corporation, discusses her role in enhancing website copy and transitioning from journalism to content editing. She shares insights on common mistakes made in media releases, the importance of clarity and conciseness in writing, and the differences between content marketing and digital marketing.  The conversation concludes with Amanda's reflections and wisdom on letting go of control.

Amanda's BIO: Amanda Schoepp is an experienced editor and writer, particularly in digital and traditional marketing. With an original background as a reporter, Amanda is a [somewhat nerdy] AP style expert with a keen eye for detail. Past roles include copywriter, editor, and communications specialist for various corporations, startups, content marketing agencies, and nonprofits. Currently, she is a digital content editor at Hyatt Hotels Corporation. 

To Contact Amanda via LinkedIn

http://amandaschoepp.com/

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Summary: In this episode of the PIO podcast, host Robert Tornabene interviews Jamie Sacco, the Public Information Officer for Shawnee, Oklahoma. Jamie shares her journey from working in news to becoming a PIO, discussing her role's unique challenges and opportunities. She emphasizes the importance of community engagement, effective communication strategies, and the need for a proactive approach in addressing local issues such as homelessness and the opioid crisis. Jamie also highlights the significance of crisis communication and the use of technology in her work, including social media and emergency alert systems. The conversation concludes with insights on the future of public information officers and the evolving communication landscape in local government.

Jamie's BIO: Jamie Sacco was hired as the Public Information Officer for the City of Shawnee and the Shawnee Fire Department in November 2023. Prior to working for the City, Jamie was an Assignment Desk Editor at FOX26 in Houston, where she covered many major events. She also has experience as a Trial Technician, where she assisted on high-priority cases presented in civil and federal court.

Jamie has a bachelor's degree in communication with a focus in Broadcast Journalism. She completed the 2024 Leadership Shawnee Class 37 with honors and is currently a member of the National Information Officers Association.

To contact Jamie via LinkedIn

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