SGT. JOE GENTILE—A LEGENDARY PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER
Sgt. Joseph C. Gentile
is a popular and well respected professional in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department. He has served as the Public Information Officer
for the past thirty-five years and will mark his fortieth year in the department in October 2007. Armed with an Associate Arts degree in Police Science from Montgomery Junior College in Maryland along with some journalism courses and a year’s experience working as a reporter on the school paper, Gentile began his career in the first precinct. He worked the wagon, walked a foot beat, patrolled in a cruiser, and was also a crime scene search officer. He also served as an
“Officer Friendly” and talked to kids in the community concerning safety issues.
Sergeant Joe Gentile at a Metro PD function
Photo Courtesy of the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department
Gentile
became a Sergeant in 1981. When he was asked to work in the Public Information Office, he never imagined he would be in his role as long as he has. A totally dedicated officer, he routinely works
fourteen hour days and is on call 7 days per week, 24 hours a day. He often receives calls from the media at home at any hour of the day or night. “The media has gotten in the habit of calling me late a
night at home to check on something,” he says.
Gentile holds the D.C. media in high regard. “The D.C. media, in my eyes, is among the best in the
world—the most professional,” he says. He acknowledges the media realizes that he cannot give them all the information they may want because it could jeopardize someone’s life or have other detrimental
consequences. Gentile understands his role serves as a conduit to provide vital information to the public. “Officials come to realize the Public Information Office is a mechanism that is a two-way
street—provide information to the media and, in turn, to the public,” he says. One of the many challenges Gentile faces is trying to get accurate information out in a timely manner but not at the
expense of accuracy.
In more ways than one, Gentile has not missed a beat throughout his career. As a Public Information
Officer, his involvement with the media has covered the gamut from the attempted assassination of former President Ronald Reagan
to the high profile and unsolved case of Chandra Levy, the Capitol Hill intern who had an affair with former Congressman Gary Condit (D-Calif.), later disappeared, and
whose partial remains were subsequently discovered in Rock Creek Park in the District of Columbia.
Gentile
feels fortunate to have a staff of 6 officers who work under him along with 2 clerical assistants. Two of the officers are Spanish-speaking, and they are able to interact with the media and the
Spanish-speaking community which is essential in the nation’s Capitol. Gentile imparts knowledge to his officers, based on his experience, and emphasizes they should always tell the truth.
Working since age 8, Gentile devotes his life to his job and retains a conscientious and strong work ethic. “I come from the old school. If they ask you to do a job, you do it. It’s always a good feeling
when you know you can help somebody.” He admits he sees a lot of tragedy. “It does wear on you,” he
says. His job is highly stressful. He deals with both the stress and constant tragedy by finding humor when and where he can. He acknowledges he “loves to joke around.” Allison Klein, a reporter with The Washington Post newspaper who interacts with him on a regular basis, is well aware of his
humorous side. “He likes to give a personal touch on the phone or face to face. There is some element
of humor. He has stories about anything you can name. He tells you information you need to know and before he hangs up, he always makes you laugh,” she says.
Before Chief Charles H. Ramsey retired from the department, he honored Sgt. Gentile by officially designating the Sgt. Joseph C. Gentile Public Information Office within the department. This
official act demonstrated the high degree of respect Gentile has earned throughout his tenure in the department. The office falls under the realm of Corporate Communications headed by Ms. Traci Hughes.
Gentile is well liked by all who know him and even people who have never personally met him have
good things to say about him based on his demeanor and presence in various venues. A humble man and one who is unyielding in his loyalty to the chiefs he has served, he remembers where he came from and says, “I’ve never forgotten my roots. I don’t think a good officer ever does.”
Former Communications Director, Kevin Morison, who worked with Gentile under the leadership of Chief Ramsey says, “Knowledgeable, trusted, accessible, and articulate help to define Joe Gentile and
his role in the police department. He’s a unique individual in terms of his longevity in the department and his dedication. Joe understands the news business.”
Sgt. Gentile
has made a lasting impression in the public service sector. Though he is modest and states, “I’m an average Joe named Joe just doing my job,” he is far more than that. An exemplary
public information and police officer, Gentile has dedicated his life by impacting the lives of others in positive and productive ways. He has forged valuable relationships with the media, the police
department, and the community at large. Not only is he, as Allison Klein states, “legendary in the Washington Post newsroom,” he is legendary in the nation’s Capitol as a distinctive role model and
unforgettable figure.
Copyright 2007 Karen L. Bune
***Karen L. Bune is employed as a Victim Specialist in the State’s Attorney’s Office in Prince George’s County, Md. She is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of
Criminal Justice at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va. Ms. Bune is a Board Certified Expert in Traumatic Stress and a Diplomate of the Academy of Experts in
Traumatic Stress. She is a nationally recognized consultant and speaker in the victim services field. Ms. Bune appears in the 2007 edition of “Marquis Who’s Who in the
World.” She can be reached at kbune@gmu.edu
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DOMESTIC VIOLENCE GETS ATTENTION
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D.C. POLICE COMMANDER SOLBERG’S APOLOGY UNNECESSARY
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US CAPITOL POLICE CHIEF GAINER RESIGNS
PERSISTANCE PAYS OFF FOR MIMI
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METRO DC POLICE GAY AND LESBIAN LIAISON UNIT
U.S. CAPITOL POLICE CHIEF GAINER
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