City of Bowling Green, Kentucky

The Bowling Green Police Department has the obligation to report on its activities to the public it serves. In doing so, it maintains the public's trust, cooperation and support. The release of information is handled in manner so as to respect the public’s right to know and protect the confidentiality and privacy of the parties involved. Additionally, due diligence is paid so as to protect ongoing police investigations so that a potential criminal prosecution is not jeopardized.

It is important to the Bowling Green Police Department that the public is aware of how the Department functions, the police role, how the community can work in partnership with the police, and, has access to information about the occurrence of crime - who, what, where, when, why, and how. Typically, this is accomplished through the news media. Use of the media is a valuable resource to help keep the public informed. As a result, it is essential that the Department maintain a working relationship with the media to promote communication.

The Public Information Officer position was established to improve the Department's response to matters of public interest. It functions to provide more direct access to the Department and police-related information to inform and educate the public. The position of Public Information Officer (PIO) exists to provide a chief spokesperson for the Department on a consistent basis. The PIO reports directly to the Chief of Police and coordinates response to media inquiries, provides information about crime incidents, the Department, its functions, policies and procedures, programs, services, and related events.

It is the PIO's responsibility to:

• Maintain contact with local media and provide information in accordance with law and Departmental policy through conducting news conferences, interviews, preparing press releases, processing media identification cards, etc...
• Maintain a close working relationship with heads of various Department operational units, (e.g. Patrol Division, Criminal Investigative Division, etc...)
• Edit web page content
• Work closely with the Chief of Police and others to promote the image of the Department
• The Public Information Office operates Monday thru Friday, from 8:00am to 4:30pm. After normal business hours, media inquiries are handled as outlined in the Department's media policy.