The South Bend Police Department is dedicated to providing professional police protection and service. If a citizen is not satisfied with the services they receive from the South Bend Police, or if the citizen believes there was misconduct by an officer, the citizen should call 574-235-9201 and request to speak to a shift supervisor.

The citizen may also contact the Office of Professional Standards at 574-235-9461. The citizen's concern (complaint) will be investigated and/or referred to the appropriate supervisor

Message From the Chief of Police

Every police department has the responsibility of protecting the lives and property of the citizens it serves. In order to carry out this responsibility, it is essential that all citizens have a high degree of confidence in their police department.

Our South Bend Police Officers are among the best trained and highly educated police officers in the State. They take pride in their chosen profession and want you, the citizens of South Bend, to share this pride. However, we recognize that police officers are human and may, from time to time, act in a manner that is not in the best interest of the police department or the community. Since we would all agree that it is very difficult to deal with a problem unless we know such a problem exists, the importance of bringing any misconduct on the part of the police officers to the department’s attention must be recognized.

The South Bend Police Department will thoroughly and expeditiously investigate all complaints brought to our attention. The following information will explain the procedure for filing of a citizen’s complaint and the investigative process.

Chief Darryl Boykins
Chief Of Police

 

HOW TO FILE A COMPLAINT: If you wish to file a formal complaint, it will be necessary for you to complete and sign a Citizen Complaint Form at the South Bend Police Department; however, those complaints made by telephone, anonymously, or by mail, will be investigated to the best of our ability. All information will be treated confidentially. Assistance is available if you need help in completing the complaint forms. A parent or guardian’s signature is required on any complaint filed by a person under eighteen (18) years of age. If over 18 you may report online also.

HOW THE COMPLAINT IS HANDLED: All complaints of misconduct shall be referred to the Office of Professional Standards of the South Bend Police Department, unless they are received during the nighttime, weekends, or holidays. During such times, the complaint will be taken by a Sergeant or officer of higher rank. If, after a discussion of the problem, you wish to make a formal complaint, you will be assisted by formalizing your complaint in writing. The complaint will then be referred to the Office of Professional Standards for investigation.

When filing your complaint, you will be required to provide the following information:
1. Your name, address and telephone number.
2. The address and telephone number of your business or place of employment.
3. The time and date of the occurrence of the incident about which you are complaining.
4. The name, badge number, or identifying description of the officer(s) involved. If you do not have this information, simply describe what occurred and the time, date, and location of the incident.
5. Give a narrative description of the circumstances giving rise to your complaint.
6. The names of any witnesses or persons arrested and their addresses and telephone numbers, if available.
7. After the above information if completed, you will be given a copy of your signed complaint form.

An investigator will talk to you as part of the investigation; talk to all witnesses and involved parties; examine any relevant physical evidence; gather all information pertinent to each allegation made in the complaint; and complete a report of the investigation. Sometimes this can be time consuming and involved, but it is imperative that all the relevant facts are known.

Once the investigation is completed, the Chief of Police will review the reports and make a determination of the allegations of the complaint. After the determination is made by the Chief of Police, you will be notified in writing of the findings. The South Bend Police Department will exert every effort to uncover the truth of each situation. There may be instances where you feel the investigation has not been conducted properly or to your satisfaction. If such is the case, ask for an explanation of the findings.