IndianaLocalNews

Black Lives Matter circulating petition calling for SBPD Chief to be fired

(Photo supplied/South Bend Police)

Black Lives Matter is circulating a petition calling on South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg to fire Police Chief Scott Ruszkowski, citing continued misconduct among the police department. The group says the public record indicates that Chief Ruszkowski stated on the record in March of 2018 that officers were required to turn their body cameras on. They say that in January of this year he was aware that there were officers who were not doing so.

Black Lives Matter sent the following news release regarding their effort:

A New York-based firm conducted a survey and found that levels of trust among South Bend residents in our local police force is low. This is a clear sign that South Bend residents have lost confidence in our current police leadership. Therefore, we call on Mayor Pete Buttigieg to exercise his executive power by demoting or removing current Chief Scott Ruszkowski from his post. We are lifting this demand by way of our petition to fire Chief of Police Scott Ruszkowski for the continued misconduct amongst the police force. 

Public record indicates that:

  1. Chief Scott Ruszkowski stated on record in March of 2018 that officers were required to turn on their body cameras.
  2. Chief Scott Ruszkowski knew back in January of this year, 2019, that officers were not activating their body cameras.

THE EVIDENCE: BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY MINUTES

March 18, 2018 – Board of Public Safety Minutes

Agenda Item: Approve Portable Audio/Video Recorders Policy

“Chief stated the policy will be No. 425 of the Police Duty Manual. Plan on doing roll-outs of body cameras by May or June. Mr. Pawlowski questioned how they will handle those that forget to turn on their cameras, is there a policy in place. Chief stated they will be handled as they always have, noting they weigh the circumstances on an individual situation.Attorney Colborn noted these will still be subject to confidentiality laws and subject to APRA records. Mr. Collins questioned how long the videos will be kept. Ms. Colborn stated a bare minimum of two years.”

Privilege of the Floor

“Mr. Darryl Heller, IUSB, asked if the Duty Manual will be available to the public. Attorney Colborn stated yes subect to an APRA request being submitted. Mr. Heller asked the Chief to explain the policy on using the body cameras. Chief stated it is no different from how they do it now. He noted the camera will go back thirty (30) seconds from activation of the lights. He stated everyone will be required to turn it on, noting the only thing still being worked on is use inside of a house due to any privacy issues.”

June 19, 2019 – Board of Public Safety Minutes

Chief Scott Ruszkowski knew back in January of this year that officers were not activating their cameras.

The first ever Black Chief of Police Darryl Boykins was removed due to an alleged Department of Justice federal investigation into the South Bend Police Department in 2012. This investigation came about due to alleged illegal recordings of white officers making racist remarks about Chief Boykins. Does an alleged violation of DOJ rules trump the inaction of our current Chief of Police Scott Ruszkowski in disciplining and removing racist officers from the South Bend police force? We believe Chief Ruszowski’s inaction should be held to the same standards. He should be removed from office immediately.

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2 comments

Paul July 30, 2019 at 2:42 pm

blm is a terrorist organization associated with muslim terrorist organizations!!

Reply
Joey Reaves August 4, 2019 at 3:52 pm

BLM cannot run our town! They are taking applications for Police Officers every day! Join up or shut up!

Reply

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