South Bend Police Department

Law enforcement agency

South Bend Police Department

Abbreviation| SBPD
Agency overview
Formed| 1831
Employees| 220 officers[1]
Annual budget| $31.4 million[2]
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdiction| South Bend, Indiana, United States
General nature|

* Local civilian police

Operational structure
Headquarters| 701 W Sample St, South Bend, Indiana 46601
Mayor responsible|

* James Mueller

Agency executive|

* Scott Ruszkowski, Chief of Police

The South Bend Police Department (abbreviated to SBPD) is a local law enforcement agency in the City of South Bend, Indiana. The department states on its website that it “works to safeguard the lives and property of the people we serve.”

## History

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The South Bend Police Department was founded in 1831 and originally had two constables. The department officially became known as the South Bend Police Department in 1903.[3] In 1910, the department introduced motorized patrol vehicles to officers. 1914 was the first year women were instated; this paved the way for the diversity that the department still strives for today.[4][5] In the 1960s and 1970s, the department saw major growth and expansion. 1961, South Bend recruited K-9 units for the first time. 1974 saw the edition of body armor for all officers. And in 1990, the department began patrols on bicycles in an effort to bring down gasoline expenditures due to the ongoing 1990 oil price shock.[6]

## 2015-2019

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In the city sought a new Chief of Police. Scott Ruszkowski was appointed and confirmed for this position in 2015 and has been on the force since 1988.[7] In 2018, under the administration of Pete Buttigieg, body cameras became standard for all on duty-officers.

## Shooting of Eric Logan

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2019 saw major changes to the department’s use-of-force policy. On June 16, 2019, a uniformed officer was responding to reports of a man breaking into cars. When the officer arrived at the scene,[when?] he reported that the suspect was wielding a knife. The suspect (Eric Logan, a black man) was fatally shot.[8] The officer, Ryan O'Neill, did not have his body camera on at the time. Many locals believed the use of deadly force was unnecessary,[9] and O’Neill was terminated and prosecuted for charges including soliciting a prostitute while on-duty.[10][11] While the incident was not nationally broadcast, it sparked a larger Black Lives Matter movement locally.[12] Several non-violent protests followed the shooting, including one on the lawn of the police station on Sample Street.[13]

## 2020-present

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In 2020, amidst the George Floyd protests, The South Bend Common Council introduced legislation to combat police brutality. This included adopting a new officer discipline matrix and establishing better mental health support and evaluations for officers who undergo especially difficult situations while on duty. These bills were then signed into law by incumbent Mayor James Mueller.[14]

## References

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1. ^ "SBPD to Take over All Investigations in South Bend - South Bend, Indiana". Archived from the original on 2021-09-13. Retrieved 2021-09-13.
2. ^ "City of South Bend Police Department Budget". Michiana Observer.
3. ^ police.southbendin.govindex.php/inside-sbpd/about-us/sbpd-history
4. ^ Wright, Lincoln. "South Bend police see successful year of recruiting, but still lacks in diversity". South Bend Tribune.
5. ^ Reporter, Taylor Gattoni, WSBT 22 (June 18, 2021). "South Bend police take steps to add diversity to the force". WSBT.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
6. ^ "Mission and History | South Bend Police Department". police.southbendin.gov.
7. ^ "Leadership | South Bend Police Department". police.southbendin.gov.
8. ^ Ryckaert, Holly V. Hays, Justin L. Mack and Vic. "What we know: Officer in Eric Logan shooting 'justified,' but other charges filed". The Indianapolis Star.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
9. ^ Sheckler, Christian. "Justified force or excessive? Clashing narratives in South Bend police shooting of Eric Logan". South Bend Tribune.
10. ^ Sheckler, Christian. "Ex-South Bend cop in Eric Logan shooting to plead guilty to on-duty sexual encounter". South Bend Tribune.
11. ^ "Ex-South Bend officer cleared in 2019 police shooting, but charged with soliciting prostitute". 13 March 2020.
12. ^ "People host memorial for Eric Logan, killed two years ago". 16 June 2021.
13. ^ "WATCH: South Bend protesters march to police station, remain non-violent". 31 May 2020.
14. ^ Tribune, Jeff Parrott South Bend. "Mueller administration marks police reforms progress, looks ahead to next steps". South Bend Tribune.

Category:law enforcement agency