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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCPRO 2026 Mid-Year Report• ACCOUNTABILITY Holding ourselves to the highest standards. SOUTH BEND COMMUNITY POLICE REVIEW OFFICE ---*--- BUILDING PUBLIC CONFIDENCE HROUGH ------ ACCOUNTABILITY, TRANSPARENCY,AND PROCEDURAL FAIRNESS • e o TRANSPARENCY Ensuring open and honest communication. COMMUNITY Partnering with our community to create change. PROCEDURAL FAJRNESS Ensuring fair, impartial. and thorough processes. JUL 1 5 2026 Bianca Tirado e City Clerk, South Bend, IN SOUTH BEND COMMUNITY POLICE REVIEW OFFICE * 2026 MID-YEAR REPORT A MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR The Community Police Review Office is firmly dedicated to serving the residents of South Bend by championing accountability, transparency, procedural fairness, and public confidence through independent oversight. In the first half of 2026, we made significant strides in enhancing South Bend's civilian oversight program. Our ommitment to fulfilling our statutory responsibilities while simultaneously trengthening our organizational capacity is unwavering. that public confidence is rooted in a government that operates transparently and is accountable to its citizens. Each complaint and investigation we handle is subjected to a thorough and impartial review process, ensuring that residents' concerns regarding law enforcement are addressed with the utmost professionalism and respect. A key highlight of this period was the Community Police Review Board's expanded authority to review specific body-worn camera footage during investigations. This enhancement greatly empowers the Board to evaluate findings independently while maintaining the confidentiality protections required by Indiana law. We also prioritized building strong relationships within the community. Our educational initiatives and partnerships with local organizations have successfully increased public awareness of civilian oversight and fostered more opportunities for community engagement. Additionally, we invested in the professional development of our Board members, providing governance and leadership training and exploring nationally recognized best practices in oversight and public accountability. Overall, the work we've documented reflects our steadfast commitment to continuous improvement and responsible public service. This report provides a concise overview of our activities, accomplishments, and organizational progress from January 1 to June 30, 2026, to keep residents, elected officials, community partners, and stakeholders informed. We extend our sincere appreciation to Mayor James Mueller, the South Bend Common Council, the Board of Public Safety, the Community Police Review Board, the South Bend Police Department, our community partners, and all residents for their ongoing support and collaboration. The Community Police Review Office will continue to serve the City of South Bend with integrity and professionalism, unwavering in our dedication to accountability, transparency, procedural fairness, and public confidence. Director Charles L. King III Community Police Review Office SOUTH BEND COMMUNITY POLICE REVIEW OFFICE PAGE 2 SOUTH BEND COMMUNITY POLICE REVIEW OFFICE * CPRO EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 2026 MID-YEAR REPORT The first six months of 2026 saw significant progress for the Community Police Review Office (CPRO) and the Community Police Review Board (CPRB). Guided by its mission of accountability, transparency, and public confidence, the Office strengthened South Bend's civilian oversight program through investigations, community engagement, professional development, and organizational improvements. During this period, the CPRO focused on its statutory responsibilities under the South Bend Municipal Code, including receiving complaints, conducting investigations, and increasing public awareness of civilian oversight. A key development was the Board's expanded authority to review selected body-worn camera recordings, enhancing its ability to evaluate investigative findings independently while respecting confidentiality requirements. The May 15, 2026, Executive Session marked the first use of this authority. The Board also engaged in meaningful discussions on de-escalation, officer communication, and youth intervention strategies, demonstrating that oversight extends beyond individual cases to improve policing practices. Community engagement remained a priority, with initiatives such as Community Safety Tips and the inau- gural Community Police Review Board Open House, which enhanced public awareness and community partnerships. Professional development was also emphasized, with Board members participating in training led by Dr. Tessa R. Sutton and Dr. Yvonne Murray-Larrier, while Director Charles L. King Ill engaged with the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement (NACOLE) to bring best practices to South Bend. As well as attended Leading Without A Badge Summit. Collectively, these efforts reflect a commitment to building institutional capacity and public trust. The CPRO is dedicated to continuous improvement and collaboration with residents and community partners in enhancing confidence in local government. SOUTH BEND COMMUNITY POLICE REVIEW OFFICE 2026 MID-YEAR REPORT * 2026 AT A GLANCE January t -June 30, 2026 The following highlights provide a snapshot of the Community Police Review Office's work during the first half of 2026. Performance Measure Mid-Year Results Complaints Received (Second Quarter) 5 Complaints Referred to South Bend Police Department 2 Complaints Retained for Administrative Investigation 3 Completed Cases Reviewed by the Community Police Review Board 4 Community Police Review Board Public Meetings 2 Executive Session Conducted 1 Community Police Review Board Open House 1 Faith Leaders Roundtable Participation Participated Community Safety Tips Initiative Expanded Governance & Leadership Training Sessions 2 National Professional Development Conferences 1 Public Reports Published Ongoing Community Outreach Activities Expanded Key Accomplishments During the first six months of 2026, the Community Police Review Office: * Conducted independent administrative investigations in accordance with City ordinance and established procedures. * Supported the Community Police Review Board through investigative case preparation, administrative coordination, and independent review. * Implemented the Board's expanded authority to review designated body-worn camera recordings during completed case deliberations. * Conducted the Board's first Executive Session under the amended civilian oversight ordinance. * Expanded public education through the Community Safety Tips initiative. * Hosted the inaugural Community Police Review Board Open House and Community Conversation. * Continued collaboration with faith leaders, neighborhood organizations, and community stakeholders. Invested in governance, leadership development, and nationally recognized professional training to strengthen South Bend's civilian oversight program. The accomplishments presented throughout this report reflect the Community Police Review Office's continued commitment to strengthening public confidence through fair, impartial, and professional civilian oversight. PAGE4 SOUTH BEND COMMUNITY POLICE RE V IEW OFFICE * 2026 MID-YEAR REPORT CPRB 2026 CASE REVIEWS Community Police Review Board Case Review While active 2026 investigations remained in progress, the Community Police Review Board continued its oversight responsibilities by reviewing completed investigations presented by the Community Police Review Office following completion of the administrative review process. During the reporting period, the Board reviewed four completed investigations originating from 2025. Following presentation by the Community Police Review Office, Board Members independently reviewed investigative summaries, applicable departmental policies, and designated portions of body- worn camera recordings before deliberating on each matter. Case Number Internal Affairs Finding CPRB Determination CPRB2025-019 Exonerated Agreed with Findings (5-0) CPRB2025-009 Exonerated No Consensus (1-4); Administratively Closed CPRB2025-013 Exonerated Agreed with Findings (7-0) CPRB2025-021 Sustained Agreed with Findings (7-0) The Community Police Review Board's responsibility extends beyond voting on investigative findings. During deliberations, Board Members identified opportunities to strengthen officer communication, reinforce de-escalation practices, improve understanding of conducted energy weapon policy, discuss active resistance, and explore strategies for responding to recurring juvenile-related incidents. These discussions demonstrate that civilian oversight contributes not only to accountability, but also to continuous organizational learning. PAGES SOUTH BEND 2026 COMMUNITY POLICE REVI EW OFFI CE MID-YEAR RE P ORT * Public Education Education remains one of the most effective tools for strengthening confidence in government. During the reporting period, the Office expanded its Community Safety Tips initiative to provide residents with practical information regarding civilian oversight and police-community interactions. Topics Included: * Understanding Community Policing. * How to File a Complaint. * How to Submit an Officer Commendation. * The Role of the Community Police Review Office. The Responsibilities of the Community Police Review Board. These educational resources were designed to answer common questions, improve public understanding, and ensure residents know how to access civilian oversight services when needed. Public Communication The Community Police Review Office continued utilizing local media, the City's official website, and professional social media platforms to increase public awareness of civilian oversight. Throughout the reporting period, Director Charles L. King Ill participated in multiple television, radio, and community interviews discussing complaint procedures, Community Police Review Board activities, civilian oversight, and community policing. These public appearances provided additional opportunities to explain the Office's mission, increase transparency, and encourage constructive dialogue regarding public accountability. Digital communication also continued expanding through updates to the Community Police Review Office webpage and the Community Police Review Board's public communication platforms, making information more readily available to residents throughout the community. SOUTH BEND ~POLICE REVIEW! OFFICE PAGE6 " SOUTH BEND COMMUNITY POLICE REVIEW OFFICE LOOKING AHEAD The Community Police Review Office remains committed to strengthening public confidence through continuous improvement, professional leadership, and independent civilian oversight. The accomplishments documented throughout this report represent important progress during the first half of 2026; however, they also serve as the foundation for the work that lies ahead. As South Bend 's civilian oversight program continues to mature, the Community Police Review Office remains focused on building an organization that is responsive, transparent, and committed to serving the community with professionalism and integrity. The Office enters the second half of 2026 with a continued emphasis on strengthening investigative practices, supporting the Community Police Review Board, expanding public education, and investing in organizational excellence. These priorities will guide the Office's work while ensuring that civilian oversight continues to evolve alongside the needs of the community. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The Office gratefully acknowledges Mayor James Mueller, the South Bend Common Council, and the Board of Public Safety for their continued leadership and commitment to accountable, transparent, and responsive local government. The Office also recognizes the dedicated members of the Community Police Review Board, whose willingness to serve the residents of South Bend through thoughtful, independent review is essential to the civilian oversight process. Appreciation is extended to the South Bend Police Department for its continued cooperation throughout the administrative review process and its ongoing commitment to professionalism and accountability. The Community Police Review Office further thanks Dr. Tessa R. Sutton and Dr. Yvonne Murray-Larrier for providing leadership and governance development that strengthened the Board's effectiveness during the reporting period. Finally, the Office expresses its gratitude to the residents of South Bend, neighborhood organizations, faith leaders, community partners, and civic stakeholders whose engagement, feedback, and participation continue to strengthen public confidence and improve the delivery of civilian oversight throughout the community.