NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:  Tuesday, September 20, 2005

HPD CHIEF PATRICK J. HARNETT ANNOUNCES TWO SENIOR COMMAND PROMOTIONS

(Harford) - Police Chief Patrick J. Harnett announced today the promotion of Deputy Chief Michael J. Fallon to Acting Assistant Chief, and Captain Jose Luis Lopez, Sr., to Deputy Chief of the Hartford Police Department.  Assistant Chief Fallon previously served as Deputy Chief for the South District, and will now serve as Chief of the Community Services Bureau (formerly the Patrol Division).  Deputy Chief Lopez, who previously served as Commander of the Southwest District with the rank of Captain, will now serve as Chief of the HPD's South District. 

"Both appointments are effective immediately," said Chief Harnett, "and both individuals bring vast experience and knowledge of law enforcement and the community we serve.  I expect great contributions to our organization from these well respected and exceptional public safety professionals."

A formal swearing-in ceremony and reception with family and colleagues will be held in the near future.

Assistant Chief Michael J. Fallon
Chief of Patrol
Hartford Police Department

During his almost 22 year career with the Hartford Police Department, Chief Michael J. Fallon has commanded patrol districts city-wide, the Crimes Against Persons and Major Crimes Divisions, the Street Crimes Suppression Unit, the Field Operations Community Response Division and the Inspections Unit.  Appointed Deputy Chief in October of 2004, Chief Fallon’s current assignment has been as Chief of the South District of the city.  In February 2005 Chief Fallon co-authored the HPD’s Neighborhood Policing Plan and as Chief of the South District has been instrumental in its implementation.  He also currently commands the HPD’s Emergency and Tactical Specialized Response Teams.  He has served on the Civilian Complaint Review Board, Police Shooting Review Board, Commendation Committee and Major Incident Critique Team.  An honors graduate of Charter Oak State College with a B.S. in Criminal Justice and Management, Chief Fallon is a POST Certified Instructor with the Connecticut Police Training Council and holds a Certificate of Distinction in Supervisory Leadership from the Connecticut Criminal Justice Command Institute.  Born and raised in Hartford, Chief Fallon graduated from South Catholic High School in Hartford’s Southend, and began his law enforcement career when he joined the HPD’s Police Explorer Program as a teenager.

Deputy Chief Jose L. Lopez, Sr.
South District Chief
Hartford Police Department

A twenty-two year veteran of the Hartford Police Department, Deputy Chief Jose Luis Lopez, Sr., has supervised and commanded nearly every division within the Police Department.  His most recent command was that of Captain of the Southwest District encompassing the South Green, Frog Hollow, Behind the Rocks, Parkville and Southwest neighborhoods of the city.  Prior to his promotion as Captain, as a Lieutenant,  Chief Lopez  commanded the Juvenile, Major Crimes, Internal Affairs and Detention Divisions.  He has also served as Acting Public Information Officer for the department.  He currently commands the HPD’s Crisis Negotiation Team, and is a POST Certified Police Academy Instructor.  In 1999 Chief Lopez Commanded the HPD Police Academy.    Chief Lopez holds a B .S. Degree in Criminal Justice from the John Jay College in New York and is a graduate of the F.B.I. National Academy in Quantico, Virginia.  He holds a Certificate of Distinction in Supervisory Leadership from the Connecticut Criminal Justice Command Institute.  He was one of the first Community Service Officers in the city.  Chief Lopez and his wife of thirty years, Rebecca, a retired HPD Officer, have two children. 

Contact:   Nancy Mulroy, Public Information Officer, Hartford Police Department,  (860) 543-8746
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