Houston Names Head Of Local Homeland Security And Public Safety

HOUSTON, TX — George Buenik made it almost a year into retirement before the city lured him back into service. Buenik retired in March 2017 after spending 34 years in the Houston Police Department. Now the former executive assistant chief in HPD will oversee the city's Office of Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Buenik, who was chairman of the 2017 Houston Super Bowl Public Safety Committee, will look after all divisions in the office, including: Homeland Security, the Office of Emergency Management, the Houston Emergency Center and Houston Crackdown.

The office assists the city in its preparedness activities to prevent, protect from, respond to and recover from man-made and natural disasters or major emergencies. Also, through the Houston Emergency Center division, the Office of Public Safety and Homeland Security ensures that residents' calls for police, fire, and emergency medical services are received, processed, and dispatched as quickly and accurately as possible.

Houston Crackdown coordinates and supports community volunteer projects in alcohol and other drug abuse through prevention, education, treatment and rehabilitation efforts.

"Houston needs someone with strong leadership skills and extensive experience in emergency preparedness and crisis management to lead the Office of Public Safety and Homeland Security, especially after Hurricane Harvey and other major events in the city" Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said. "I am confident George Buenik has the strategic vision to take charge before, during and after the next crisis."

Buenik rose through the civil service ranks to the second highest position of executive assistant chief. In that role, he oversaw the Homeland Security Command consisting of special operations, tactical operations and served as the operations’ crisis incident commander responsible for police emergency response to natural disasters and major incidents.

"I look forward to getting back into public service," Buenik said. "My No. 1 priority will be to keep this city safe and secure. I will work closely with Mayor Turner and other city directors to ensure we are properly prepared to respond to and mitigate all disasters and major emergencies."

Buenik graduated with a bachelor of science degree in law enforcement from Western Illinois University and a master of science in criminal justice management from Sam Houston State University. He is a graduate of the FBI National Executive Institute, the FBI National Academy, Leadership Houston and has additional advanced training.

Since 2014, he has worked as the Houston Texans Safety Security Auditor. The numerous professional awards he received include the Houston Police Department’s Lifetime Achievement Award, the Houston Young Lawyers Association Liberty Bell and the National Police Week Manager of the Year award in 2002.

Buenik is on the board member of Crime Stoppers of Houston and is an advisory board member of Casa de Esperanza de los Niños.

Top Image: An officer patrols with K-9 Pidura outside the George R. Brown Convention Center, the NFL Super Bowl 51 football media center and site of the NFL Experience, Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2017, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)