SBPD officer arrested early Thursday morning regarding off-duty domestic incident

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The South Bend Police Department reports one of its officers was arrested early Thursday for an overnight domestic incident which occurred while off-duty.

The officer, identified as 24-year-old Emanuel Garcia, is facing preliminary charges Domestic Battery, Resisting Law Enforcement, and Interference in the Reporting of a Crime.

Police say Thursday, just after midnight, SBPD was called to the 600 block of Victoria Street in South Bend on the report of a disturbance.

Authorities say officers on scene were advised that the disturbance was a possible domestic incident between Garcia and the female complainant.

During the initial investigation, police say they attempted to detain Garcia, which led to a brief struggle.

Garcia was then arrested and is currently being held at the St. Joseph County Jail, where he awaits a formal charge from the St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office.

SBPD says Garcia has been relieved of all duty status pending further criminal and internal investigations.

Garcia was sworn in as an SBPD officer in December 2021.

Police say prior to this incident, he had been on restrictive duty as an SBPD internal investigation continued, stemming from a September 2024 call for service, during which Garcia discharged his duty weapon.

That case resulted in drug-related criminal charges against a 39-year-old man.