NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release:  Friday, January 16, 2004

ACTING CHIEF PAWLINA APPOINTS OMBUDSMAN

(Hartford) - In keeping with his goal of enhancing the relationship between the Hartford Police Department and the community, Acting Chief of Hartford Police Mark Pawlina has established the position of Ombudsman and today announced the appointment of Captain Joseph J. Buyak, III, a twenty year veteran of the department, to serve in that capacity for the department.

The Ombudsman will serve under the direction of the Chief of Police and will act as liaison between the police department and community.  The Ombudsman will be the point of contact within the Hartford Police Department for persons requiring information, direction, advice, or guidance relating to the police department, it's employees, and it's mission to provide courteous, professional, and respectful law enforcement service.

The establishment of the Ombudsman's position does not eliminate nor does it replace entities such as Internal Affairs or the Public Information Office.  Rather, the Ombudsman will serve as a point of contact for the community.  "My goal in establishing the Office of Ombudsman is to broaden the lines of communication between the department and the community by offering another point of service for the community to utilize to connect with the department," stated Chief Pawlina.  "It is our goal to continue to improve customer service within the Hartford Police Department.  The Office of Ombudsman is one step further toward that goal."

The HPD Ombudsman, Captain Joseph J. Buyak, III, can be reached at (860) 527-7300, extension 5522; (860) 982-6229/cellular phone; (860) 842-4788/pager; or by e-mail at JBuyak@ci.hartford.ct.us.

Contact:   Nancy Mulroy, Public Information Officer, Hartford Police Department,  (860) 543-8746
Visit www.Hartford.gov  for more Hartford Police News.
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