A BGSU alumnus is leading the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), following the retirement of former-Superintendent Joe Morbitzer, according to Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost.
Ohio BCI Superintendent Bruce Pijanowski ‘88 is a graduate of BGSU, the FBI National Academy and the Police Executive Leadership College. He began his role as superintendent of the state’s top crime lab at the start of 2024, following his role as assistant superintendent of BCI from 2022 to 2023.
“The work we do at BCI is so important to the safety of our communities,” Pijanowski said. “The services we provide allow local law enforcement to work more efficiently and effectively, resulting in improved outcomes in investigations. We positively impact local communities right down to a single person.”
BCI serves as Ohio’s crime lab and criminal-records keeper, and it offers expert, impartial investigative services to local, state and federal law enforcement agencies 24/7, according to the state’s Attorney General. They have five locations across the state, including one at BGSU.
In his role with BCI, Pijanowski provides direction to the organization and helps develop statewide policies in accordance with values established by Ohio Attorney General Yost.
“Bruce hit the ground running at BCI and I’m excited to elevate him to the top leadership role,” Yost said. “I have full confidence that with Bruce at the helm, BCI’s reputation as a premier law enforcement agency will continue.”
Before joining BCI as assistant superintendent in May 2022, Pijanowski served 34 years with the Delaware Police Department, the last 10 as chief, according to Attorney General Yost.
Pijanowski is a graduate of BGSU’s nationally recognized criminal justice program and considers himself fortunate to have attended BGSU.
“As a police officer, that knowledge has allowed me to see beyond the situation at hand and know there is more below the surface,” Pijanowski said. “It helped me become a better police officer and inspired me to approach my job with empathy while working to make communities better and safer.”
BGSU is one of the few universities in the nation to have an active criminal investigation lab on its campus, providing students with a unique learning experience, according to a University press release.
“Through the BGSU criminal justice program, I gained a better understanding of human nature and what makes people do the things they do,” Pijanowski said.
Graduates of the BGSU criminal justice program work at the local, state and federal levels in the three branches of the criminal and juvenile justice systems – law enforcement, the court system and the corrections system, according to the University.
