South Bend Police Chief Scott Ruszkowski penned an astute op-ed in the 08-04-19 So. Bend Tribune. The article truly captures the essence of what police service is, and, what South Bend Police officers, as well as law enforcement officers nationwide encounter day in and day out. The long litany of SBPD pro-active community outreach programs cited in Chief Ruszkowski’s article are a testament to the continued efforts to serve the citizens of and visitors to the City of South Bend. Unfortunately, these good works are being wrongly overshadowed by biased diatribes from certain “characters” and organizations with their own agendas – political and otherwise.

And, for those who say SBPD officers are not held accountable, I suggest a little factual research of public records and media. There have been a number of terminations, let alone other lesser disciplinary measures. The department is far from perfect – but, then again, what organization is. There is, however, a yeoman’s quest to ever be better. By the way, the ultimate discipline authority, the South Bend Board of Public Safety, has a preponderance of minority membership.

I’m in my 46th year of law enforcement, the first 28 with the SBPD. Kudos to Chief Scott Ruszkowski on an excellent and heartfelt article.