Public Information Officer (PIO)

The Public Information Officer (PIO) course is designed for public safety personnel responsible for managing, disseminating, and overseeing information on behalf of their departments or organizations. Open to potential, newly assigned, and experienced PIOs—as well as administrative executives involved in public communication—the program equips participants with the essential skills and “tools of the trade” needed to handle both routine operations and community crises effectively. Through interactive, hands-on exercises, participants learn to write media releases, conduct interviews and on-camera briefings, and engage with social media and other communication platforms. The course emphasizes situational awareness, public relations strategies, and evaluation of public information campaigns, preparing attendees to serve as confident, credible, and effective voices for their agencies in any circumstance. (****Course mandated to meet requirements of SB33; the Uvalde Strong Act.)

Topics Covered / Course Objectives

  • Learn how to write a media release and manage interviews
  • Participate in video conferences and on-camera briefings
  • Identify public relations opportunities in your community
  • Practice skills in real-life scenarios
  • Evaluate success of public information campaigns

Who Should Attend / Admission Requirements

  • Potential, recently assigned, or existing PIO's
  • Administrative Executives involved in public information duties
  • All public safety personnel tasked with the collection, dissemination, and/or oversight of public information for their department and/or organization

Course Length

Public Information Officer (PIO) is a three-day course.

Course Hours

Participants will receive TCOLE credit.

Course Cost / Fee Policy

Public Information Officer (PIO) is $395 per person for Texas governmental agencies or $495 per person for out of state personnel.

Registration Process

Registration is 100% online. Please visit the Register Online link located on the Upcoming Events table below or the LEMIT Calendar page to register. A confirmation e-mail will be sent to the e-mail address indicated on the form within two weeks of registration.

Cancellation / No-Show Policy

If the participant has already paid, he/she will be refunded half the cost of the registration fee if written notice of cancellation is received by the Program Coordinator no later than fourteen (14) business days prior to the program. No refunds are available after this date, but substitutions of attendees are permitted.

If no written cancellation is received and the participant does not attend the program, the participant or their agency will be required to pay 100% of the registration fee if the registration fee was not previously paid.

Course Contact

Scott McCollum, LEMIT Associate Director
Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas
George J. Beto Criminal Justice Building
Sam Houston State University
Huntsville, TX 77341-2417
Fax: (936) 294-3926
Phone: (936) 294-3193
Phone: 800-477-9248
scott.mccollum@shsu.edu

Upcoming Events

* Additional fees may apply

StatusDateTitleLocationRegistrationFee
OPENDec 15 - 17, 2025Public Information Officer (PIO) Huntsville, TXCall For Availability$395.00 *

* Additional fees may apply

Additional Information

Hotel, Travel, and Meals:
The participant or their agency is responsible for expenses incurred for travel to and from the training, hotel cost, and meals. Hotel information will be included in the confirmation email. Choosing a hotel and making a reservation is the responsibility of each participant.

Dress for the Week:
Business casual is the dress for the week. Clothing should be professional and no caps/hats or shorts are permitted. It is always recommended to bring a light jacket in case the training room is cold. Business dress attire is recommended for Tuesday's press interview.

Firearms:
If you choose to wear your duty weapon you may do so in full uniform or in plain clothes with your badge fully displayed. Individuals who are 21 years of age and who currently possess a handgun license from the State of Texas or an approved reciprocating state may legally carry a concealed handgun on or about their person. Handguns may be carried on campus, except at collegiate and UIL athletic events, health and counseling centers, and other specified locations on campus. Signs will clearly identify prohibited sites around campus.

Tobacco Products:
In order to promote a healthy, safe, and aesthetically pleasing work and educational environment, Sam Houston State University endorses a smoke free and tobacco free environment. Tobacco use (including smokeless tobacco) is not permitted on campus grounds. Electronic cigarettes/vaping products are also prohibited.

LEMIT Building and Parking:

The Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas is located at 1600 Bobby K. Marks Dr., Huntsville, Texas, at the corner of Bobby K. Marks and Bearkat Boulevard on the campus of Sam Houston State University. It also is located right next door to the University Hotel.

  • ALL vehicles must be registered to park on the SHSU campus. This includes marked agency vehicles.
  • Prior to your class, you will receive information on how to register your vehicle and where to park.
  • For visitors and guests, there are pay-by-hour spaces along Bobby K. Marks Street and Bearkat Boulevard; however, these are managed through the City of Huntsville system and are not part of the University permits. Follow instructions listed on street signs for payment options and be sure to select "Huntsville" when asked to select a location. For more information on the City of Huntsville system, visit Huntsville Paid Parking.
  • Parking is also available for visitors in the Sam Houston Parking Garage, located at 1730 Avenue I, within walking distance to LEMIT. The parking garage contains approximately 250 hourly use parking spaces. Visitors should not park in the parking spaces that are numbered; the numbered spaces are reserved for Garage Permit Holders only. For directions to the SHSU Parking Garage, please click here.