Jan. 8, 2008 — Veteran Source reporter and assignment editor Melody Rames has been named territorial public relations director for the V.I. Police Department, Police Commissioner James McCall announced Monday.
Rames will replace Monyka Johnigan, who will focus on the police department's recruiting campaign.
"Rames brings more than 20 years experience in media and public relations experience to this position, and we are very glad to have her on board," McCall said, according to a police news release.
Rames is a former reporter for the V.I. Source and the former media director for Sen. Neville James. She began her career in media writing a feature column for the St. Croix Avis from 1986-89. She then worked 10 years with the V.I. Legislature, providing media and public relations services to various senators. Her other work experience includes serving as a drug, alcohol and tobacco abuse-prevention specialist with the V.I. Victory Partnership and as executive director of the St. Croix United Way.
In 2005, Rames attended the Congressional Black Caucus Political Education and Leadership Institute at Morgan State University and achieved the highest award for media relations and campaign strategy.
Rames began her employment with the V.I. government in 1984, working for the then Department of Public Safety as support staff to the Investigation Bureau, where she remained for six years.
"We are confidant that Ms. Rames' knowledge of police procedures, along with her expertise in media and public relations, will take the department in the right direction," McCall said. "Our goal is to be more responsive to the media and the community, while at the same time improving the officers' morale by reporting the positive progress we are making in the fight against the criminal element."
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