HomeMy WebLinkAbout10.01.15_Mayor_Appoints_Ruszkowski_SBPD_ChiefCITY OF SOUTH BEND
PETE BUTTIGIEG, MAYOR
Office of the Mayor
CONTACT:
Kara Kelly, (574) 235 -5853
kkelly @southbendin.gov
FOR RELEASE: Thursday, October 1, 2015
SCOTT RUSZKOWSKI TO BE OFFICIALLY APPOINTED POLICE CHIEF AT 1 PM TODAY
South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg will officially appoint Uniform Division Chief Scott
Ruszkowski as the City of South Bend's 62"d Chief of Police at a ceremony Thursday, October 1
from 1 to 1:30 pm at the South Bend Police Department, 701 W. Sample St.
Ruszkowski takes command today, with former Police Chief Ronald Teachman transitioning to a
position in the private sector.
Ruszkowski, who was appointed Uniform Division Chief in 2013, has served as the department's
second - highest rank for nearly two years. He has been involved in every aspect of the
department's work and will build on progress made under Chief Teachman.
"Chief Teachman opened new horizons for the department, bringing the latest technology, a
fresh approach to addressing gun violence, and setting high standards that immediately raised the
force's expectations of what was possible," Ruszkowski says. "He challenged me and many
other officers to be better leaders and he cultivated our potential. I'll always be grateful to him."
Ruszkowski has more than 25 years of law enforcement experience. He trained at the Indiana
Law Enforcement Academy in 1989 and joined the South Bend Police Department later that year
as a patrol officer. In 1992 he was promoted to corporal, then sergeant in 1999. In
2005, Ruszkowski was named lieutenant and commander of the Street Crimes unit, and captain,
uniform patrol division in 2011. Since 2013, he has been the department's top patrol officer as
Uniform Division Chief.
"Scott Ruszkowski's combination of professional experience and deep community ties make him
an ideal leader for today's South Bend Police Department," Mayor Buttigieg says. "He has
earned the respect of officers and residents, and has served ably in leadership roles in the
department. He will carry forward the progress our Police Department has made."
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Born and raised in South Bend, Ruszkowski graduated from the former LaSalle High School. He
continues to be involved with South Bend Community Schools, and sits on the South Bend Kroc
Center Advisory Board.
"The department will continue to strive for the highest standards of integrity, professionalism,
effectiveness, and service," Ruszkowski says. "I want our officers to know as many South Bend
residents as they can on a first -name basis to strengthen the department's bonds with South Bend
neighborhoods by building personal relationships."
Ruszkowski served as president of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #36 and on the board of
directors of the Indiana F.O.P. Foundation. He also co- founded the South Bend Police
Department's Critical Incident Team, which prepares for and responds to incidents at the unit
level.
Ruszkowski was also appointed to attend the FBI National Academy at the University of
Virginia in 2006. He also served as an Active Duty and Reserve Petty Officer in the U.S. Navy.