Tuesday, March 19 2024

Public Information Unit

The Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office Public Information Unit was staffed during 2018 by one civilian employee who serves as the Public Information Officer (PIO) and is responsible for daily contacts with the media and general public concerning matters of public record. Working within the guidelines of Executive Order #69, the PIO coordinates with the investigative units and legal staff to release information in compliance with the law.

The PIO maintains contact with regional and local news organizations, including internet, newspaper, radio and television outlets, and works with these organizations to provide information on crimes, arrests, grand jury indictments, court activity, and other information relevant to public safety. The PIO is available to the media 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This system gives the media one source to contact for information, which relieves on-scene investigators and legal personnel from that duty.

The public Information Unit distributes press releases, organizes press conferences and responds daily to inquiries from various media outlets. Copies of all press releases, public statements from the Prosecutor and news clips collected from area media outlets are maintained by the Public Information Officer. Assistance is provided when requested to the county’s municipal police departments, as well as state and federal law enforcement agencies during joint operations.

In addition, the PIO assists with requests for public information released under the authority of the Open Public Records Act, provides photography services for Office events, maintains the Office’s Facebook and Twitter accounts, provides graphic design support, maintains the Office website and arranges for speakers to attend community and civic events.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

The PIO is responsible for coordinating the Office’s community outreach efforts, and serves as the agency’s Community Outreach Liaison to the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General.

PROCOPS Awards Banquet

The Public Information Officer is responsible for planning and executing the BCPO Annual Awards Banquet, known as PROCOPS (Prosecutor’s Recognition Of Citizens Or Public Servants). Established in 1988, the PROCOPS banquet pays tribute to local, state, and federal law enforcement officials along with private citizens and groups working with and providing assistance to law enforcement in Burlington County.

Along with the Prosecutor’s awards, the Annual Richard L. Barbour Scholarship Award is presented to a law student selected by the Scholarship Committee. The scholarship was founded in memory of Burlington County Assistant Prosecutor Richard L. Barbour, who was slain during a robbery in Philadelphia in April 1991. The banquet is held in May during National Police Week and was attended last year by more than 225 people.

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