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Chicago Police Tap Shakespeare District Commander To Assist Federal Probe

By Alisa Hauser | February 11, 2016 3:27pm | Updated on February 11, 2016 4:23pm
 Chicago Police Commander Marc Buslik explains the charging and upload process for body cameras.
Chicago Police Commander Marc Buslik explains the charging and upload process for body cameras.
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DNAinfo/Paul Biasco

LOGAN SQUARE — Cmdr. Marc Buslik, a Shakespeare District leader who oversaw the city's body camera pilot program, has been tapped by the Chicago Police Department to serve as a go-to person for federal officials as they conduct a probe of the city's police force.

Buslik, a 36-year veteran who became the district's commander last April, left his post at Shakespeare District headquarters, 2150 N. California Ave., last week for the new role, local police announced at a Community Alternative Police Strategy (CAPS) meeting on Wednesday in Wicker Park's Field House, 1425 N. Damen Ave.

The Shakespeare District covers Logan Square and parts of Humboldt Park, Avondale, Wicker Park and Bucktown.

 Shakespeare District Capt. Marc Buslik in Wicker Park.
Shakespeare District Capt. Marc Buslik in Wicker Park.
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DNAinfo/Alisa Hauser

"I'm very much looking forward to participating in this opportunity to improve our policies and processes," Buslik said on Thursday, adding that Interim Police Supt. John Escalante selected him for the job.

"I'll certainly miss the close collaboration with the 14th District's communities, but this is a great chance to positively impact the entire City and all of our police officers, supervisors and civilian employees," he said.

During his nine-year tenure, Buslik piloted initiatives like the Police Department’s first district-wide use of body cameras and a broad social media strategy via a highly active Twitter account, @ChicagoCAPS14.

Last month, Buslik told DNAinfo Chicago that after a little more than 10 months of running the body camera pilot with 30 cameras in his district, he would lead the expansion to 1,500-1,600 cameras in six other districts: Austin, Wentworth, Deering, Ogden, South Chicago and Gresham. He did not confirm if he'd continue to be involved in the program after the appointment.

Buslik said he will still be involved in the police force's body worn camera deployment but to "a different degree" in light of his new post.

A Chicago Police Department spokesman confirmed on Thursday that Buslik will be the Chicago Police Department liaison for the Department of Justice during their investigation.

"He will be working hand-in-hand with investigators and will be unable to fulfill his role as Commander of the 14th District. Captain Fabian Saldana is currently working as interim Commander of the 14th District. Upon his appointment we will [be] releasing official promotional details," the spokesman said.

Saldana joined CPD in 1993 and most recently worked as an executive officer under Buslik, officials said. Last February, Saldana, then working in the Grand Crossing District on the far South Side, was promoted to a Deputy Chief role focused on community policing, according to a news release.

On Thursday, a spokesman for the U.S. District Attorney's office declined to comment on Buslik or the scope of his duties or how long the investigation is expected to last.

"At this time, we do not have a public comment on the matter," the federal spokesman said.

Announced in December, the Dept. of Justice investigation was sparked by the city's treatment of the Laquan McDonald shooting video. At that time, U.S. District Attorney General Loretta Lynch said the investigation will focus on misconduct "within the police department," but officials will reach out to "a broad cross-section of community members, city officials and law enforcement" to reach its conclusions.

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