Sergeant Melanie Hofmann

CONTACT:

Office 478-803-2364
Fax    478-803-2379

P.O. Box 247
Macon, Georgia 31202-0247

Email: mhofmann@mpd.macon.ga.us

PURPOSE:

To provide clear, impartial and effective method of disseminating police information to the public and the news media; to ensure the accuracy and consistency of information; and to prevent disclosure of information that might adversely affect any individual or and criminal or civil court proceedings.

The Public Information Officer (P.I.O.) serves as the liaison between the Department and the public to promote public relations by:

• Assisting in handling crisis situations in the Department.
• Assisting news personnel in covering news stories as they pertain to public safety.
• Coordinating and authorizing the release of information about victims, witnesses and suspects.
• Coordinating and authorizing the release of information concerning confidential investigations and operations, as directed by the Chief of Police.
• Serve as a liaison between the Police Department and other City departments, as necessary.

The Public Information Officer is responsible for the following functions:

• Preparing press releases and press statements for distribution to the media.
• Scheduling and preparing all press conferences as directed by the Chief of Police.
• Providing details of crime scenes and other public safety incidents, to the media and the public.
• Being available for on-call responses to the news media
• Being available for on-call responses to crime scenes
• Handling media requests for statistical crime data for the City of Macon.
• Checking daily news reports, broadcast and print, as they related to the Department to keep the Chief of Police abreast of the media coverage of the Department; maintaining files of daily news clippings, audio and videotapes.
• Accompanying the Chief of Police, upon request, to all events that are covered by the media.
• Coordinating the release of information when other public safety agencies are involved in a mutual effort.
• Meeting daily with local media outlets to review reports
• Handle Open Record requests from the media, public, other law enforcement agencies, attorneys, and other City of Macon departments
• Dispersing Customer Service Requests from the Mayor’s Office to the appropriate precincts or divisions
• Creating and distributing a newsletter
• Updating the Macon Police Department website
• Receive complaints from citizens and defer them to the appropriate precincts or divisions
• Participate in speaking events upon request
• Assist Crimestoppers during the Crimestoppers personnel absence
• Preparing and responding to police patch requests
• Other duties asked as needed