The Palo Alto Police Department has hired a veteran television news reporter as its new public affairs manager.
Janine De la Vega, who has almost twenty years of experience as a general assignment and breaking news broadcast journalist, started her new position on Tuesday, April 17. She will be a key member of the police management team, acting as the Department’s lead spokesperson and coordinating all aspects of public communications to include news releases, social media platforms, public service announcements, crime prevention campaigns, community outreach, website content, and more.
De la Vega hails from KGO-TV, and previously worked for KTVU for 12 years after working with KLAS-TV in Las Vegas for five years. She successfully completed a competitive selection process, which began in September 2017 with more than 80 applicants.
“I’m confident that our residents and media partners alike will find the addition of Janine to our team enhances even further our commitment to transparency, and builds on our reputation for providing critical public safety information in a timely and factual way,” said Chief Robert Jonsen. “Janine’s background and experience, coupled with her familiarity with the demands placed on today’s journalists, make her a perfect fit for us.”
The public affairs manager is a new position within the Department, authorized by the Palo Alto City Council for this fiscal year’s budget. Public affairs responsibilities have previously been handled since October 2011 by Captain Zach Perron, who currently has command responsibility of the Field Services Division (patrol, traffic, and special operations).
De la Vega holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Santa Clara University, and is fluent in Spanish. Her annual salary has been set at $125,000. A photo of De la Vega is attached to this release.
