Which events require PIO notification?

• A. Only Minor Incidents
• B. All Major Events Or Any Major Crime
• C. After Major Incidents Only
• D. Only After A Major Crime

Answer: (B)

PIO notification is triggered by events that have substantial public impact or high media interest, requiring coordinated, accurate information for the public. The best answer recognizes that all major events or any major crime demand this coordinated communication. Major events can include large traffic crashes, evacuations, active incidents with public safety risk, or other emergencies that affect the community—situations where timely, consistent messaging helps protect the public and support responders, even if no crime is involved. Major crimes similarly draw media attention and can affect victims, witnesses, and ongoing investigations, so bringing in the PIO early preserves transparency and public trust. Limiting notification to only minor incidents, or waiting until after an incident or crime, would miss opportunities to provide essential updates and control the narrative during ongoing events.