The PIO Podcast
The PIO Podcast is a platform for Public Information Officers (PIO's) and Public Affairs Officers (PAO's) in public sector organizations, including Police, Fire, EMS, FEMA, state, local, and federal government organizations. The podcast aims to facilitate learning, growth, and discussion of issues that PIO's/PAO's may encounter within their profession. If you would like to support the podcast and connect with other PIO's/PAO's, please email us at thepiopodcast@gmail.com.
The PIO Podcast
S5-E3: Chata Spikes, Executive Director of Public Affairs, Atlanta Police Department
As the Executive Director of Public Affairs for the Atlanta Police Department, Chata Spikes manages the department’s overall communication strategy which includes developing organizational messaging both internal and external.
Ms. Spikes has worked in media and public relations industry for more than 18 years. She served as Media Liaison for the Georgia Department of Transportation, Public Information Officer for DeKalb County government, Communications Specialist Supervisor/Technical Writer for Time Warner/Turner Broadcasting and an Assistant Professor of Mass Communications at her alma mater Fort Valley State University.
Additionally, she had a successful media career having worked for WSB-TV (Atlanta, Ga.), CNN (Atlanta, Ga.), DeKalb County-TV, Fox News Network, and WYFF News (Greenville, SC) in variety of on-camera and off-camera roles.
In 2016, she joined Atlanta Police Department in the role of Deputy Director of Public Affairs under Chief George N. Turner, until her departure to become the first Director of Communications and External Affairs for the City of South Fulton.
Most recently, she has owned and operated a communications/leadership consulting firm specializing in media, leadership and customer service training for diverse audiences to include schools, churches and government entities.
She rejoined the Atlanta Police Department in 2020 under Chief Rodney N. Bryant.
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