Public Information Office
Media Relations
The Public Information Office (PIO) serves as the liaison for the Department of Public Safety to the news media and the citizens of Georgia. The Headquarters PIO staff plans and produces Department news conferences, media advisories and news releases.
Documents Unit
Each year, PIO handles an ever-increasing volume of photo and video requests, as well as subpoenas and requests for production of documents. This unit responds to the news media, prosecutors, defense attorneys, insurance companies and the public. This unit provides filing, storage and retrieval of evidence photos, videotapes and documents from all GSP field operations. PIO staff is cross-trained to assist with documents tasks and staff members are designated as Custodians of Records for the Department of Public Safety by the Commissioner.
Graphics Unit
This unit provides development and copying of Department evidence photos, video and audiotapes. The Graphics unit also provides special projects support to the PIO Publications and GSP Recruitment Units. In 2002, this unit obtained a reconditioned Kodak film scanner/printer unit to help prepare PIO for the anticipated increase in digital evidence photos from GSP SCRT teams and other law enforcement agencies. PIO also has professional video camera equipment for covering Department functions/events, high-resolution digital camera equipment for brochure and web page development and new graphic printers for better in-house publications.
Publications Unit
PIO Publications is responsible for production of the quarterly DPS newsletter, the DPS Annual Report and content for the department's website.