Where
Miami-Dade Public Safety Training Institute9601 NW 58th Street
Miami, FL 33178
Driving Directions
Contact
Bianchi C. Gonzalez
Miami Dade Police Department Specialized Training Unit
305-715-5000
stu@mdpd.com
Public Information Officer 2016
This course has been designed for law enforcement and public safety personnel, public information officers, and others who represent their departments to the news media.
Students in this dynamic seminar will be exposed to:
Media relations functions and the role of a public information officer
Florida’s Public Records Law
On camera interviews and mock scenarios
Crisis management and critical interviews
Writing skills for public information officers
Social media strategies
Press release and press conference preparation
Visit to fully operational news studio
Personal critiques and panel discussion
Don’t miss this opportunity to hear and learn from industry experts and experienced public information professionals!
Guest Instructors
JUDY PAL
With more
than 30 years’ experience, JudyPal has served in management positions for public safety, government, and the professional sports and entertainment industry in both Canada and the U.S. Prior to joining FBI-LEEDA, she was Chief of Staff with the Baltimore Police Department. Previously, she served as Operations Director with an international police consulting company; Chief of Staff with the Milwaukee Police Department; and served on the command staffs of the Atlanta Police Department, Savannah Chatham Metro Police Department and Halifax Regional Police in Canada.
Pal is a past president of the National Information Officers Association. She has served as an adjunct professor as well as being an instructor with the Institute for Law Enforcement Administration in Plano, Texas. Pal earned her Certificate in Police Leadership from Dalhousie University, and will graduate with her master’s in public relations in the spring.
J. ERIC KOWALCZYK 
Eric Kowalczyk spent more than a decade with the Baltimore Police Department, the last few as head of the public communications section. He served as the primary department spokesperson during numerous critical incidents including the protests and rioting that ensued after the death of Freddie Gray. Handling local, national, and international media, Eric focused on transparency and accountability to connect with an already distrustful public. He focused on working to define the role of the police department without further escalating tensions.
Today, Eric specializes in strategic planning, communications and crisis mitigation planning and social media management. He has developed a reputation of being dynamic thinker, drawing on a diverse set of skills to quickly identify problems and develop innovative solutions and long-term prevention strategies.
Mike Jachles
Mike Jachles joined the Public Information Office in 2006 after 14 years as a video journalist at WTVJ, the NBC owned TV station in South Florida. He brings an extensive background to the Broward Sheriff’s Office where he serves as the primary PIO for the Department of Fire Rescue and Emergency Services. Prior to moving to Florida in 1992, Mike was the Assistant Fire Chief with the Jamesville, NY Fire Department, where he served for seven years starting out as a firefighter/trauma medic. He has been an active Emergency Medical Technician since 1981 and is also an auxiliary Florida Highway Patrol Trooper. Mike has earned both the George Foster Peabody and the Alfred I. DuPont awards given in broadcasting. He has also won numerous local, state and national press awards. He received a bachelor’s degree in Communications from the State University of New York-Empire State College.
