Elk Grove Police expands public information staff, adds veteran reporter Julissa Ortiz

The Elk Grove Police Department announced a key addition to its growing Public Information Office (PIO) team this week, welcoming former CBS13 reporter Julissa Ortiz as its newest Media and Community Relations Specialist.

Ortiz joins Sergeant Jason Jimenez and Officer Cristina Gonzalez on the PIO team. According to the announcement, the PIO unit now includes three full-time members, a size notable for a city of just under 180,000 residents.

The department said the addition of reflects a commitment to professionalizing public engagement and maintaining strong relationships with both residents and local media.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Julissa,” the department said in an internal media advisory. “Her extensive media background and passion for public service make her an incredible asset to our team.”

Elk Grove’s expanded PIO unit is now larger than those found in many California cities with far greater populations. For comparison:

• Fresno (population ~550,000) typically maintains a two-person PIO team.
• Bakersfield (population ~420,000) relies on a single full-time PIO with support from other units as needed.
• Stockton (population ~320,000) has a two-person PIO team.
• Oxnard (population ~200,000) has a single sworn officer serving as PIO.

Even some larger cities such as Santa Ana (~310,000 residents) and Moreno Valley (~215,000) rely on just one designated PIO staffer.