Law enforcement leaders and public information officers (PIOs) are increasingly required to make communication decisions on divisive issues such as immigration enforcement, use-of-force incidents, elections, and protests, often under intense political and media pressure. This session is designed for leaders responsible for setting direction, approving messaging, and managing risk. It examines common messaging missteps that escalate controversy rather than contain it. Through real-world case studies and presenter examples, participants will explore how effective leaders balance speed, transparency, legal constraints, and community trust in politically charged situations, including when agencies must speak publicly on high-stakes issues and how to approach social media engagement.