Lincoln Police name Erika Thomas as new public information officer
LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Lincoln Police announced Friday that the department has hired a new public information officer.
Erika Thomas, a journalist who spent two decades working in newsrooms across the country, will begin her new role at the end of March.
Police say Thomas worked as a producer, reporter and, most recently, an evening anchor in northwest Arkansas.
The Mizzou alum has earned several awards, including Emmys and state honors, according to a press release.
“The public information office manager position is incredibly important to any police department in this country in 2023,” Police Chief Teresa Ewins said in a statement. “As a former member of the media, Erika knows first-hand how to get our news to the media in an accurate and timely manner.”
Police say Thomas is the department’s first public information officer to have a background in journalism.
“Building upon our already robust social media presence, Erika will rely upon her valuable experience in news to inform our public about Lincoln law enforcement news, both through the media and through our Lincoln Police presence on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram,” Ewins said in the statement.
Career update! Excited to move to #LNK and join #LPD. https://t.co/xV6dMNyjVX
— Erika Thomas (@5NEWSErika) February 17, 2023
The role was last filled by Erin Spilker, who filed a lawsuit against the city in January 2022, alleging years of discrimination, sexual assault and harassment within LPD.
