FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:    Heather B. Habelka, Office of the Mayor, 203.385.4001

Mayor James R. Miron Names John J. Buturla as Stratford's Chief of Police

Stratford, Conn. (March 8, 2007) - Mayor James R. Miron today announced that John J. Buturla has been appointed as the Town's Chief of Police. Buturla will begin his tenure with the Town on March 31, 2007 and will be paid an annual salary of $97,000. He will succeed Chief Michael Imbro who is retiring at the end of March.                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

"Chief Imbro has served this Town well and I thank him for his service. I am saddened to see him retire," Miron said. "John Buturla, a Stratford native, has a long and distinguished career in public safety and public service. I am confident his education, training and experience will bring the Stratford Police Department to new heights."

Buturla began his professional career in 1979 as a Police Officer in the town of Trumbull, Connecticut. He joined the Connecticut State Police in November of 1982.

He rose through the ranks to Major and served in numerous assignments, including Commanding Officer of Major Crime, Professional Standards, Labor Relations and patrol troops.  He was also the Chief of Staff for the State Police and counter-terrorism liaison with the FBI.   

In October of 2001, Buturla was appointed as the Deputy Director of Homeland Security for the State of Connecticut.  This office served as the direct liaison with the Federal Department of Homeland Security and was responsible for development of unified safety and security measures for Connecticut.  Buturla was appointed as the Acting Director of Homeland Security in February 2004 and made permanent in May of 2004.  He served in this position until January of 2005, when he was appointed as the Director of Scientific Services for the Department of Public Safety. 

Buturla retired from the State of Connecticut to accept an appointment from Mayor John DeStefano, Jr. as the Chief Administrative Officer for the City of New Haven, Ct. in March of 2005.  Buturla currently serves in this position and as the Director of Emergency Management. 

Buturla has a B.S. Degree in Criminal Justice from Sacred Heart University.  In 1982 Sacred Heart University recognized him as "The Most Promising Criminal Justice Scholar."  He received a M.S. Degree in Forensic Science from the University of New Haven in 1988, where he received a Graduate Fellowship for Academic Excellence.  On December 17, 1999 Buturla graduated from the FBI National Academy Program at Quantico, Virginia.   He is also an Adjunct Professor for the Graduate Program in National Security at the University of New Haven. He has published material relating to Homeland Security and Law Enforcement. 

He has continued involvement in Public Safety in a variety of venues.  He is a member of the National Emergency Management Association, Homeland Security Consortium and a consultant in the Executive Education Program at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California.  He also enjoys his civic work, especially as a member of the Executive Board of Directors for Special Olympics Connecticut. 

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