Sergeant Thomas tapped to serve as department’s Public Information Officer

The San Bernardino Police Department has a new Public Information Officer (PIO).  Sergeant Equino Thomas, who has been with the San Bernardino Police Department for 15 years and previously served in the U.S. Army in communications and electronics, took over the post two weeks ago and he says so far it has been going well.

“So far dealing with the media has been a positive experience – reporters can by pushy in looking for information but I understand they have a job to do and they respect that I am trying to help them get their story.  They have been patient as I am learning my way in this new role,” Thomas said. “In my previous role as district operations sergeant I did engage with the community and that helped prepare me and I took a media relations for law enforcement course to learn some of the skills I would need.”

The new PIO says he was motivated in large part to be a police officer by his children and the need to serve, “I just wanted to do something that served my community and do something my kids would be proud of and look up to.”

Thomas continued, “It is very rewarding to be a police officer – helping others gives you a great sense of satisfaction”

As to why he wanted to be a PIO, a role that many police officers shun, he said, “I pursued being a PIO because I have seen law enforcement agencies be sometimes poor at crafting and communicating their message to the public.  I wanted to give  the department an opportunity to communicate in the most positive possible way and pro-actively engage with the community.”

The San Bernardino Police Department continually strives in its commitment to the prevention of crime, the identification and apprehension of those who violate the rights of others, the preservation of peace within the community, and a safe environment for its citizens.