A Brief Overview of SBPD Civilian Programs

The South Bend Police Department is strongly committed to serving our citizens, not only through enforcement, but also education, crime prevention and community involvement. There are several ways you can become involved and help to make a difference in volunteering your time, and to learn more about the South Bend Police Department. Amongst some programs we offer:



 Citizens Police Academy allows local residents a course on learning more about local law enforcement  


CVOs are volunters who are utilized in traffic protection, traffic related services and local events  


Crime Stoppers involving citizens in solving felony crimes, involving rewards for fugitive apprehensions anonymously. Call 288-STOP  
The Explorer program provides an opportunity for young men and women bewteen the agers of 14 to 20 to experience first-hand how a police department functions.  


The SBPD Police Athletic League has officers teaching local youth positive interaction through athletics.  
VIPs

 VIPS volunteers are actively involved in assistance for traffic directions at natural and man-made disasters, large public gatherings, amongst other services.  

Please take a moment to learn more about an area of interest by clicking on the logo above, or contact us for more information.

More on Community Oriented Policing
Since 1997, the South Bend Police Department has offered formal community oriented police training for all officers and civilian members of the Department, as well as, hundreds of community and business leaders.

Training seminars presented by SAR Associates focused on community policing philosophies, the implementation process, and the cohesive efforts needed between the businesses, community residents, and the police department. However, in retrospect, the efforts highlighted in the COP philosophies mirrored many actions already being offered and in partnership between Department members and the business/residential communities. With the introduction of Community Oriented Policing, there now was an umbrella label  associated with these efforts.

Over the last 20 years, the South Bend Police Department has had one of the most extensive and viable Neighborhood Watch (210 groups), Business Watch Programs (80 businesses), and citizen's interactive neighborhood nuisance house ordinances  in the Midwest.  Our approach to community policing is to use the language of co-active efforts between all facets of our Department, all City agencies, and all segments of our community.