DEARBORN HEIGHTS — Mayor Mo Baydoun has announced the appointment of DHPD Captain Michael Guzowski, who will serve as the city’s new chief of police.

Guzowski, a 22-year veteran of the department, has served in a wide variety of law enforcement assignments, including Patrol Operations, Special Operations, member of the DEA Task Force, detective sergeant, detective lieutenant and most recently captain of the department’s Investigations Bureau. Guzowski also holds extensive administrative and leadership experience, focusing on policy development, training, operations management and community engagement.

Guzowski started his career in Adrian before returning to Dearborn Heights 22 years ago where he spent just over five years on road patrol before being assigned to the Special Operations Bureau for four years. After that, he was assigned to a DEA task force for four years, conducting prescription drug fraud and health care fraud investigations. In 2017, he was promoted to sergeant and assigned to the detective bureau until 2019, when he was promoted to lieutenant and assigned to oversee the entire investigations bureau. He was promoted to captain of the investigative services division in October.

Stability comes from accountability, and community engagement must be a philosophy — not just events — because we are here to serve the people. – Chief Guzowski

“I am grateful to the city for this opportunity,” Guzowski said. “It is an honor to serve the department I have been a part of throughout my career – and look forward to serving in this capacity for many years to come.”

With an associate’s degree in criminal justice and currently working on his bachelor’s degree in public administration, Guzowski told The Arab American News that he feels his proudest achievement was spearheading and starting the School Resource Officer Program, which started with two officers and this school year has five throughout the school districts. He is excited and grateful for his new opportunity. 

“Two visions and goals I have are stabilization in the department by using my operational knowledge of the department and community and bringing the department to the 21st century standards with a heavy focus on community engagement and involvement,” he said. “Stability comes from establishing and reviewing and updating policies and procedures while holding myself and officers accountable.

“Community engagement is more of a philosophy, not just event based, and it’s important to have a customer service mentality as we are providing a service to the community. I have a strong dedication to community service and raised my children here and I really enjoy the community aspect of Dearborn Heights and the city I cherish and value for the opportunity provided to me to allow me to support my family and I want to give back to the community that gave me so much. And the energy and enthusiasm Mayor Baydoun has is really encouraging and inspiring.”

Baydoun said that he is also looking forward to what Guzowski has to offer. 

“I am delighted to welcome Mr. Guzowski as our new police chief,” Mayor Baydoun said. “He has an impressive record of successes throughout his tenure with the DHPD; and I’m confident these skills and experience, combined with his ‘can do’ outlook and long-standing commitment to community service, will make him an effective and respected chief and leader of our great police department.”