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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCPRO Quarterly Report Q1 2026I •~-~------------------------------- CITY OF I SOUTH BEND COMMUNITY POLICE REVIEW OFFICE Filed in Clerk's Office MAR O 8 2026 Cornrnunity Police Review Office Ql 2026 Report Community Police Review Office ( CPRO) Quarterly Report -Qt 2026 Reporting Period: January 1 -March 31, 2026 Prepared by: Charles L. King Ill Director, Community Police Review Office I. Executive Summary The first quarter of 2026 was a notable time for the Community Police Review Office (CPRO). It saw increased visibility, operational growth, and deeper strategic involvement. During this time, the Office continued to strengthen its role as an independent civilian oversight organization, in line with Ordinance No. 10721-20, while broadening its reach across community, government, and professional platforms. Key Areas of Progress: • Increased community-facing engagement and education • Continued collaboration with City leadership and SBPD • Advancement of transparent oversight practices, including video review processes • Participation in national oversight training and leadership development The Office remains committed to fair, impartial, and thorough oversight, while building public trust through accessibility and transparency. II. Complaints & Case Activity Complaint Intake ( Qt 2026) • Total Complaint Calls Received: 5 • Referred to SBPD Internal Affairs: 2 • Retained for CPRO Review / Guidance: 3 The intake process continues to serve as a critical access point for community members, ensuring concerns are appropriately directed, documented, and addressed. Community Police Review Office Qt 2026 Report III. Case Dispositions & Board Actions March 19, 2026 -CPRB Public Meeting Case No. CPRB2025-019 SBPD Internal Affairs Finding: Exonerated Board Discussion Topics: • De-escalation practices • Clarity of verbal warnings Roll Call Vote: • Ashe -Agree • Banicki -Agree • Webster -Agree • Hughes -Agree • Bryant -Agree Final Determination: Agree with SBPD Findings (5-0) Case No. CPRB2025-009 SBPD Internal Affairs Finding: Exonerated Board Discussion Topics: • Taser policy application • De-escalation standards • Definition of active resistance Roll Call Vote: • Banicki -Agree • Ashe -Disagree • Webster -Disagree • Hughes -Disagree • Bryant -Disagree Final Determination: No Consensus (1-4) -Administratively Closed Observations Board deliberations continue to reflect thoughtful analysis of policy apipa~rin; use-:,Qf-force considerations, and officer decision-making in real time. ,'f> , >:t; The introduction of video review processes repre~ents a significant stepJc:>!'.':f,t~rd th strengthening evidence- based oversight. • •• • CoIDinunity Police Review Office Qt 2026 Report IV. Meetings, Engagements & Public Presence CPRB & Oversight-Related Meetings • January 15, 2026 -CPRB Public Meeting • March 13, 2026 -Inaugural CPRB/SBPD Video Review Session • March 19, 2026 -CPRB Public Meeting • March 30, 2026 -CPRB Open House (YMCA 0 1Brien Center) City & Stakeholder Engagement • February 12, 2026 -Department Heads Retreat • February 10, 2026 -Faith Leaders Roundtable • March 26, 2026 -SBCSC Parent & Family Expo ("Year of Dads11 ) • February 26, 2026 -City of South Bend Black History Awards Ceremony • Attendance at the State of the City Address (Mayor James Mueller) Community Outreach • Robinson Center Senior Lunch & Learn • Presented information on the role, function, and accessibility of the CPRO and CPRB Impact Summary • These Engagements Strengthened: • Community awareness of oversight processes • Relationships with faith-based and civic leaders • Cross-departmental collaboration within the City government • Accessibility and visibility of the CPRO V. Professional Development & National Engagement Leading Without a Badge Summit March 15-18, 2026 I Charlottesville, Virginia Director King participated in a national summit focused on civilian police oversight leadership, engaging with oversight professionals from across the country. Coinmunity Police Review Office Qt 2026 Report Key Strategic Insights • Independence & Credibility: Oversight bodies must maintain structural independence while fostering professional working relationships with law enforcement. • Transparency: Leading agencies prioritize proactive communication through public reporting and accessible case summaries. • Community Engagement: Visibility and direct engagement are essential to building trust and legitimacy. • Professional Standards: Strong investigative practices and structured review processes are critical to credibility. Application to South Bend The Summit Confirmed That South Bend Is Aligned with National Best Practices, Particularly In: • Community engagement initiatives • Development of transparent reporting systems • Structured case review processes Strategic Growth Areas Identified • Expansion of public-facing case summaries • Increased community education initiatives • Enhancement of data transparency tools • Continued training for staff and board members VI. Alignment with Ordinance No. 10721-20 All Activities Conducted During Q1 Support the Intent and Requirements of the Establishing Ordinance, Including: • Independent civilian review of police conduct • Public accountability through open meetings and reporting • Advisory recommendations grounded in policy and evidence • Community accessibility and participation in oversight The Office continues to operate with a focus on role clarity, legal compliance, and alignment with best practices, state law, and national oversight standards. Community Police Review Office Qt 2026 Report VII. Strategic Outlook -Q2 2026 Building On the Progress of Qt, The Office Will Prioritize: 1. Transparency Expansion • Development of standardized public case summary formats • Increased clarity in reporting outcomes and findings 2. Community Education • Hosting additional community forums and presentations • Expanding outreach to underrepresented populations 3. Process Strengthening • Continued refinement of video review protocols • Strengthening evidence documentation and review standards 4. Professional Development • Ongoing training aligned with national oversight best practices • Continued participation in regional and national networks VIII. Conclusion The first quarter of 2026 reflects a strong trajectory toward credible, transparent, and community- centered oversight. Through intentional engagement, structured review processes, and alignment with national standards, the Community Police Review Office continues to strengthen its role as a trusted and effective accountability institution within the City of South Bend. Respectfully submitted, Director, Community Police Review Office City of South Bend, IN