South Bend Police Chief Scott Ruszkowski has formally entered the race for St. Joseph County Sheriff, announcing his candidacy after more than three decades in local law enforcement.

Ruszkowski joined the South Bend Police Department in 1988 and rose through the ranks in patrol, K-9, SWAT and Street Crimes before being appointed the city’s 62nd police chief in 2015. He has led the department for the past 11 years.

Ruszkowski said his campaign will center on a people-first approach to public safety.

“We’re here because of the people and for them – our community is our family,” he said, adding that he has long impressed upon officers that “the most important call you’ll ever be on is the one you’re on.”

Over the course of his career, Ruszkowski completed numerous training programs and certifications. Among the most notable was his 2006 graduation with honors from the FBI National Academy, an invitation-only program attended by less than 1 percent of officers worldwide.

Ruszkowski and his wife have four sons and two grandchildren. Three of the children attended South Bend schools; one currently serves as a South Bend police officer and two are enrolled in college.