IFPDhires new public information officer

The Idaho Falls Police Department has been operating without an official Public Information Officer for several months, and Chief Bryce Johnson recently decided to hire Holly Cook to fill the position.

The primary focus of a PIO is to create an open environment for the flow of information and ideas between the community and the police department.

Holly will also serve as a spokesperson and media liaison for the department.

“This department is a close group of incredible people who genuinely value serving our community,” said Cook. “We are fortunate to live in a very safe place, which is a credit to the hard work of the Idaho Falls Police Department. They are truly unsung heroes. I look forward to telling more of their stories.”

Cook is an Eastern Idaho native and a graduate of Hillcrest High School. For most of her early youth, she attended Blackfoot schools, where her father worked as a school administrator. Her mother works for Idaho Falls School District 91. Cook received a scholarship to compete on the college debate team at the College of Idaho in Caldwell, where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Economy.

Most recently, Cook has been working as a small business owner. She owns Cook Communications & Public Relations, where she worked to promote and develop businesses, nonprofits and managed several political campaigns. She also served in a temporary capacity in Mayor Casper’s office from May through September of this year.

You can contact Cook directly at hcook@idahofallsidaho.gov.