South Bend Police Officer arrested on two counts of child seduction
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Butler was arrested and booked into the St. Joseph County Jail just after midnight on Saturday on two counts of child seduction stemming from his relationship to a 17-year-old student at a Mishawaka high school where Bulter is the school resource officer and boys basketball coach.
"I am distraught and disappointed by the allegations that ultimately led to the arrest and charging of Rico Butler," Chief of Police Scott Ruszkowski said. "As police officers, we hold ourselves to higher standards. Any alleged negative behavior by an individual who wears our badge is a detriment to the efforts of our 250+ officers, who strive each day to build and maintain trust and make a positive impact within our community."
"In addition to written and physical exams, all prospective South Bend Police Officers must undergo and pass a series of interviews, psychological evaluation, Computer Voice Stress Analyzer (CVSA)/polygraph, and a full and comprehensive background check to even be considered for employment as a sworn officer. To reiterate past statements, our shift to Prospect Days for testing did not change or lower any of our standards."
"At this time, Rico Butler has been relieved of duty with pay. By law, only the Board of Public Safety has the authority to stop paying an officer as they await criminal and/or internal investigations. I will soon be discussing Butler’s status with the board," Ruszkoski said. "In addition to the ongoing criminal investigation, the South Bend Police Department’s Internal Affairs Department is also investigating these allegations."
The South Bend Police Department is working with the St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office and Special Victims Unit on this investigation.
Officials say Butler has been relieved of duty pending further criminal and internal investigations.
Butler was sworn in as a South Bend Police Officer in December of 2022.