South Bend Police Department taking over all investigations in South Bend

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The City of South Bend announced on Thursday that, effective on January 1, 2022, the South Bend Police Department will take over homicide and all major crimes investigations within South Bend city limits.

This means the St. Joseph County Metro Homicide Unit and Special Victims Unit will not be in charge of these investigations.

"We value regional collaboration and the work provided by these two metro units. We’ve done everything we can to keep them up and running, but we must adapt to our department’s staffing levels, which remain short of where they need to be," said Mayor James Mueller.

“The South Bend Police Department’s commitment to our community will remain the same and will not be negatively affected by this transition,” said Police Chief Scott Ruszkowski. “The majority of the St. Joseph County Metro Homicide Unit and Special Victims Unit are made up of our detectives and personnel already. All cases will now be ‘in-house’ and the resources of our entire department will be at the disposal of every single victim and their family.

Mayor Mueller said the department will continue to collaborate with the St. Joseph County Prosecutor, St. Joseph County Police Department and Mishawaka Police Department.