(Above) 2020 photo of Michael Barz (far right), then a captain, conducting a roll call in Union Park. (Cropped version of CPD photo.)

By Steven Dahlman

20-Jun-23 – The 18th police district has a new commander. Michael Barz has 27 years of experience with the Chicago Police Department and was most recently Executive Officer of the 16th district, based in Jefferson Park.

Barz was the first commander of the Community Safety Team, which was launched in 2020 to focus on fighting violent crime, protecting residents during large-scale events such as demonstrations, and improving community relationships. Reportedly, more than 1,000 officers are assigned to the CST.

It has not avoided controversy. A CPD lieutenant, Franklin Paz, Jr., is currently suing the City of Chicago, claiming that officers on the Community Safety Team, under the leadership of Barz, had quotas to meet that resulted in traffic stops, citations, and arrests without justification.

The 53-year-old Barz was also a captain in the 25th district, a lieutenant in the 10th district, and a sergeant in the Confidential Investigations Section within the Bureau of Internal Affairs. Barz has a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Loyola University and attended the FBI National Academy.

He replaces Jon Hein, the former 18th district commander, who is now Deputy Chief of the Central Control Group, which includes the 18th police district. Hein replaces Jill Stevens, who was also an 18th district commander. She is now Deputy Chief of the Office of the First Deputy in the Special Events Section.

CPD interim superintendent Fred Waller announced the staff changes on June 16.

“The experience and knowledge these leaders have gained throughout their careers here at CPD have shaped them for these new roles,” said Waller. “Each of these members was selected because of their unique skill sets, law enforcement backgrounds, and passion for service.”