Silvis Departments

Gene Karzin, Chief of Police

Chief Gene Karzin was appointed Chief of Police for the City of Silvis on January 5, 2026, bringing more than four decades of law enforcement experience to the department. Born and raised in Rock Island, Chief Karzin began his career in 1984 with the Lake Charles, Louisiana Police Department, where he served in undercover narcotics and vice assignments before advancing to narcotics investigator.

In 1988, he returned to the Quad Cities and joined the Rock Island Police Department. During his tenure, he served in a wide range of roles, including patrol officer, Field Training Officer, K-9 officer, major crimes investigator, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) Task Force officer. After retiring from Rock Island in 2012, Chief Karzin continued his public service as an investigator with the U.S. Federal Courts. In 2018, he was appointed Deputy Chief of Police for the City of Geneseo.

A strong advocate for ongoing professional development, Chief Karzin has pursued extensive continuing education throughout his career. His training includes Northwestern Illinois University’s School of Police Staff and Command, the FBI National Academy (Session 286), and numerous law enforcement leadership courses at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) and the Illinois Training and Standards Board Executive Institute, along with many additional specialized programs.

While serving as Deputy Chief in Geneseo, Chief Karzin led numerous operational and community-focused initiatives. His efforts included expanding officer training, enhancing safety protocols, redesigning the department’s firearms range, and helping launch the Geneseo IMPACT community engagement program. As Chief of Police in Silvis, he emphasizes community-oriented policing, transparency, and collaboration, with a strong focus on building trust, increasing visibility, and strengthening partnerships between law enforcement and the citizens they serve.

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Additional Info:

To reserve the Community Room at the Silvis Police Department, call 309-792-1841 Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:00pm

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