Plum police detective becomes department's first public information officer

A Plum detective has been named the police department’s first public information officer.

Joseph Little took the weeklong FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Association class in Pleasant Hills to take on the role.

“I provide the community with the most accurate, up-to-date information,” he said. “As you would imagine, during an emergency officers are focused on the mission and whatever the issue is. It’s my job to get that information out to our community while officers work to resolve whatever problem or task that they’ve been assigned. It’s a more efficient way to provide the community and the media information.”

Police Chief Lanny Conley said the position was needed as part of his department’s aspirations of becoming accredited. He said he has worked closely with Little for many years.

“Joe was a natural fit for this position,” Conley said. “His confidence in dealing with the public, with sensitive information, cases and topics and his ability to accept new challenges made him the right choice.

“Many officers do not like to be front-and-center with the media,” he said. “This is something that doesn’t affect Joe, and I give him all the credit in the world for that.”

Little, 48 and a borough resident, has been a police officer in Plum since October 2004.

He joined the Air Force in 1993 after graduating from Canon-McMillan High School in 1992. His four years as a military policeman prepared him for a career in civilian law enforcement.

“When I graduated high school, I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do with my life at that point,” he said. “When I realized that law enforcement was sort of my path, I thought that (joining the Air Force) would be the most appropriate way to accomplish that goal.

“I loved it. It was exactly what I needed at that time. Being a young man, you learn discipline and structure, and how to deal with the chain of command. It was like going to college for me.”

Little started his civilian career in the Tampa Bay area in 1997, staying there until returning to the Pittsburgh area in 2002 after the birth of his son. He worked in West Mifflin for about a year before Plum.

“It was a lot harder back then than it is now to get a job in law enforcement. There was way more people interested in becoming police officers then,” he said. “The competition was fierce.”

Little was a patrol officer for about 10 years before becoming a school resource officer, working between Plum High School and O’Block Elementary for five years. He has been a detective, one of two in the department, since July 2020.

Conley oversaw him first as a sergeant, when Little was a patrol officer, and then as an administrative lieutenant when Little was a school resource officer.

Since Little was familiar with working with juveniles and the juvenile justice system, Conley recommended he be promoted to juvenile detective when the position became open.

Little will continue to work as a juvenile detective while also serving as public information officer.

“I’m very passionate about protecting kids and keeping them safe,” he said. “I’m fortunate that my chain of command put me in that position. I look forward to working every day.

“When I go home, and if I’m able to protect a child, I feel as if I’ve accomplished something that day.”

Little immediately said yes when Conley asked whether he would take on the duties of public information officer. He said the FBI course covered how to communicate accurately and efficiently with the media and public.

“You need to make sure you present material where people can understand it and media can understand it and understand the perspective of the police department,” he said. “It’s not as easy as standing and talking. You have to keep an organization and a flow to what you are doing and how you are presenting information.”

Little said he expects to put in another 10 years on the force.

“I love working here in Plum. I love living here in Plum,” Little said. “My son graduated from Plum. We enjoy the community and all the events the community has. Living and working here has been a pleasure. I’ve really enjoyed the people that I’ve worked around the almost 20 years I’ve been here.”