The Elkhart Police Department gave some insight into the ongoing third party departmental review that started earlier this year. The review was designed to take an in-depth look at their policies and procedures after an incident where two officers punched a subject that was in handcuffs. The review process is ongoing but they have decided on several changes to suggest to the Board of Public Safety.

Elkhart Police Chief Chris Snyder announced updates to their vehicle pursuit policy, complaint investigation process, changes to their website, and the creation of a civilian filled Chief’s Advisory Board.

The changes to the vehicle pursuit policy are focused on language changing words like “should” to “shall” or “will”, and clarifying the expectations and accountability that officers and supervisors will be held to.

The complaint process change expands the scope of complaints that the department investigates. Under the new guidelines all complaints or inquiries made will be investigated regardless of serious officers feel it to be. Once that investigation is complete a review board will double check it and it will then be forwarded to the chief.

Changes to the website include features that allow users to change languages and they offer tools to directly contact the police department.

Finally the Chief’s Advisory Board is being made to give Chief Snyder input directly from people who live in the community. He says he has already reached out to organizations like La Casa and the NAACP to gauge their interest in being part of the board. The plan is that the board would meet on a regular basis to give feedback to the chief and the chief would then give them feedback in return and make adjustments where necessary.

All of these are just suggestions as of now, and the Board of Public Safety will have to make final decisions on policy and procedure changes.

During his press conference Chief Snyder did say that the third party review is ongoing and they are still looking into various areas of the department.