Carol Stream swears in two police officers; board approves police budget restructuring ordinances

The Village of Carol Stream swore in two new police officers and approved ordinances that amend the police department—s organizational structure and code provisions during its regular meeting.

Mayor Severino administered the oath to Officer Dominic Barwolek and Officer Daniel Hawk. The chief introduced the officers, describing Barwolek as a University of Saint Francis graduate who completed an internship with the Geneva Police Department and noting Hawk graduated from Liberty University. The chief said both are headed to a 16-week Basic Training Academy in Decatur, Illinois next month.

During the consent agenda the board approved an ordinance amending the village—s fiscal year 2025-26 budget to establish a new organizational structure within the police department (ordinance number 2025-08-34) and an ordinance amending chapter 4 of the Carol Stream Municipal Code regarding police appointments and qualifications (ordinance number 2025-08-35). Both ordinances were listed and approved as part of the consent agenda; Trustee McCarthy had pulled a separate item earlier but the police-related ordinances remained on consent and passed without separate roll-call discussion.

Trustees and the mayor offered congratulations and remarks recognizing the department and the role of academy training. The chief and board members emphasized department professionalism, training expectations and the priority that —everyone goes home at night,— noting the community and family support at the swearing-in.

No substantive changes to hiring qualifications beyond the ordinance text were discussed during the meeting record. The board did not set any additional public reporting requirements at the meeting for the organizational changes.