NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:  Thursday, January 22, 2004

ACTING CHIEF PAWLINA ANNOUNCES HARTFORD POLICE COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP PLAN

(Hartford) - Today, in keeping with Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez' desire for closer ties with the community and implementation of effective community policing techniques,  Acting Hartford Chief of Police Mark Pawlina announced the establishment of a community partnership plan for the Hartford Police Department, with "a goal toward increasing the level of partnership between the police department and the citizens of Hartford to improve our ability to identify and solve problems in our neighborhoods," stated Chief Pawlina. 

The directive, effective immediately, directs officers from the Patrol Division and Community Response Division to establish at least five (5) partners from their assigned patrol areas.  Officers will be required to complete their recruitment of partners and forward community partnership names to their supervisors by February 25, 2004.  "In order to make the process of obtaining partners easier, I am asking interested members from the community to volunteer, and instructing Community Service Officers to compile names of residents who might be interested in becoming partners," stated Chief Pawlina. 

"Establishing a meaningful partnership between police officers and city residents is a basic component of community policing.  By working together with residents who are committed to improving the quality of life in our city, we will be more effective in identifying and solving problems within our neighborhoods, and consequently, more effective in minimizing crime problems, disorder, and violent behavior," remarked Chief Pawlina. 

"It has been demonstrated here in Hartford and other communities across our nation, that by establishing solid partnerships, citizens will become more comfortable sharing information with police, and police officers will become more knowledgeable about the neighborhoods they patrol.  This concept is not new.  This concept is all about the old time beat officer, who knew everyone in the neighborhood and everyone knew the officer.  As a result, crime were solved as well as prevented." said Pawlina.

Any member of the public interested in participating in the Hartford Police Partnership Program should contact the Hartford Police Department Patrol Division at 527-6300, or their neighborhood Community Service Officers.  Interested citizens may also e-mail the department by visiting the HPD's website at www.hartford.gov., click on contact police.

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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