South Bend Mayor, Police Chief address police department recruiting

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg and South Bend Police Chief Scott Ruszkowski held a press event Thursday afternoon to encourage residents to apply to the police department.

Both the mayor and Chief Ruszkowski say not enough people are applying despite efforts to boost the force not just in numbers, but in diversity and character.

"We want you to succeed in the application process and we're urging everyone in the community to think of themselves as a recruiter," Buttigieg said.

"I want to reiterate one more time that I've said many times before, and will continue to: we need our department to mirror our community or as close as we can get to that, "Chief Ruszkowski said.

Although they have had a large number of people begin the application process, fewer than half so far have completed the process.

"We've received quite a few, but one thing we've noticed is that more people have started applications than completed them. We've had about 270 applications started. 111 completed," Buttigieg said. "The applicant pool is quite diverse, but we are continuing to look for great candidates of all backgrounds."

Click here for more information on being a South Bend Police officer and the application process.

Buttigieg also mentioned they need applicants for the vacancy on the Board of Public Safety, which oversees the South Bend Police Department and the South Bend Fire Department. Click here for more information.

Buttigieg said he believes they have only received two applications for the vacancy on the Board of Public Safety and encourages those interested to apply.

Info on the Board of Public Safety, including a link to the application.