As police departments look for the right people to fill the full-time position needed to address both community engagement efforts and to inform the public and the media when public safety incidents arise, a question for many that is top-of-mind is—can a journalist fill this role effectively? What experience does a journalist bring, and would they be a good fit for a law enforcement agency or organization?

Police Chief sat down with Kristin Lowman, who had more than a decade of experience as a journalist before working for several years with the New York State Police in their Public Information Office. She now oversees internal and external communications for the Dallas, Texas, Police Department, spearheading efforts to engage and inform with one of the largest and most renowned police departments in the United States.