Updated: 13 July 2016

Please excuse the duplicate email but due to a technical glitch, the version you received earlier this week was incomplete.

Since the note of support is from all of NIOA, we are re-sending this message to ensure you saw the open letter to the chiefs.
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What a challenging week it was for public safety agencies. Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Falcon Heights, Minnesota; Dallas Texas. Friday afternoon officers were ambushed in Ballwin, Missouri and Valdosta, Georgia and several officers were hurt in demonstrations around the country this weekend.

I know members of the NIOA family everywhere are monitoring the aftermath of each of these incidents, especially the Dallas ambush. I’m confident many of us are having similar reactions and asking similar questions; among them: what can and should we do–today and in the days and months ahead–in response to the events of the past week and to all of the other incidents of police-involved conflict in recent months which have caused so much pain and division.

It’s not just members of law enforcement that are suffering. Responders from all agencies, medical personnel, the families of the victims, and the public at large are grieving.

The NIOA Board has sent notes of support and sympathy to the Chiefs and PIOs of the Dallas Police Department and Dallas Area Rapid Transit Police Department. I wanted to share that letter (see below) with all of our members and encourage you to keep law enforcement officers everywhere in your prayers.

As many of us know from experience, adrenalin and caffeine will carry you only so far during these kinds of events. The NIOA board encourages those members who might be in a position to offer Dallas PIOs some support in coming days–if they need it–to consider doing so, and please let us know if you do.

Thanks,
Ed Buice

To: Chief David Brown, Dallas Police Department,
Chief J.D. Spiller, Dallas Area Rapid Transit Police Department

Sirs:

Please accept the sympathy, support and prayers of the men and women of the National Information Officers Association, a group of hundreds of spokespersons from public safety agencies around the nation.

Like millions of other Americans, we mourn with you, your officers and communities.

I commend you and Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings for the outstanding job you have all done briefing the media and through them, the world. You’ve been incredibly articulate and have shown sincere empathy, honor, passion, compassion and composure. NIOA members salute you and your PIOs for a job well done.

If there is any sort of support that NIOA can provide your departments, please let us know.

Ed Buice
President, National Information Officers Association
www.nioa.org
Public Affairs Officer, Naval Criminal Investigative Service
ed.buice@ncis.navy.mil
571-305-9070