James l. Pavlik
Assistant Inspector General for Investigative Policy
and Oversight
Mr. James L. Pavlik assumed his duties as the Assistant Inspector General for Investigative Policy and Oversight of the Department of Defense Office of the Inspector General in January 2004. Prior to that appointment, Mr. Pavlik served as the Acting Director for Investigative Policy and Oversight (IPO).
Mr. Pavlik was born in South Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and graduated from South Milwaukee High School. He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Police Administration from Eastern Kentucky University and a Master of Arts degree in Criminal Justice (Economic Crime) from the George Washington University. His professional military education includes the Warrant Officer Basic and Advanced Courses; the Israeli Interrogation Course; the Drug Enforcement Academy; the Defense Acquisitions Basic and Advanced Courses; the Executive Development Seminar; the Federal Executive Institute; the National Security Studies at Syracuse University; the DoD Senior Executive Service Course (APEX); and the National and International Security Course at George Washington University.
In 1991, Mr. Pavlik retired from the United States Army with the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 3. Highlights of his service include assignments as Team Chief for the Fort Knox Drug Suppression Team; Economic Crime Coordinator at First Region, United States Army Criminal Investigations Command (USACIDC); and a 5-year assignment as a Senior Investigator with a Field Investigative Unit of USACIDC investigating criminal activity of Army personnel assigned to classified programs.
Following his retirement, Mr. Pavlik served as a Senior Investigator with the United States Office of Special Counsel. Mr. Pavlik joined the DoD IG in March 1994. Over the next 4 years as a Senior Investigator and Team Leader in the Office of Departmental Inquiries, he conducted investigations into allegations concerning senior officials. After a short tenure with the U.S. Postal Service OIG, Mr. Pavlik returned to the DoD IG as the Special Assistant to the Acting IG. In 2002, Mr. Pavlik became the Director of Policy in IPO. In July 2003, Mr. Pavlik became the Acting Director of IPO and later became the Assistant Inspector General. In that position, Mr. Pavlik directs the activities of the Oversight and the Policy and Programs Directorates which conducts balanced and objective evaluations and develops or improves policy to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the DoD law enforcement community.
Mr. Pavlik’s military awards include the Legion of Merit; the Meritorious Service Medal; the Army Commendation Medal; and the National Defense Service Medal. He is also a recipient of the DoD Inspector General’s Superior Civilian Service Award.
Mr. Pavlik is also an Associate Professor at several colleges and universities where he teaches and develops Undergraduate and Graduate Criminal Justice courses.