Leadership

Command Staff

Chief of Police Scott Ruszkowski

A US Navy Veteran, Chief Ruszkowski joined SBPD in 1988. His brother, father, and grandfather were South Bend Police officers as well. In addition to the Navy, before joining SBPD Chief Ruszkowski worked at the South Bend Streets Department and, as a student at LaSalle High School, at Martin's Supermarkets. He became the 62nd Police Chief of SBPD on October 1, 2015.  

Chief Ruszkowski has an outstanding, patient wife, four sons, and two grandchildren. Three of his boys attend South Bend schools. His number one priority is people: "We're here for the people and because of the people. Our want is to do no harm. Our belief is that our community is our family."

Operations Division Chief Jeff Rynearson

Operations Division Chief Rynearson is the Operations Division Chief at SBPD and is second in command. In his role he is responsible for operations, administration, and strategic planning. Chief Rynearson was hired at SBPD in 1990. He served as a Handler and Trainer in the K9 Unit from 1994-2008 and was the K9 Unit Commander from 2000-2008. In 2008 he was promoted to Captain and served as the Midnight Shift Captain until 2013. He then served as the East Region Captain until he was promoted to Uniform Division Chief in 2015. Chief Rynearson is a graduate of the Police Executive Leadership Academy and the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety-School of Staff and Command, class 406. He is also a certified Police K9 Trainer through Oakland (MI) Community College/Vohne Liche Kennels (Denver, IN) and a certified police instructor through the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy.

Patrol Division Chief Eric Crittendon

A South Bend native, Patrol Division Chief Crittendon has been on the force since 1990. Crittendon worked first as a School Resource Officer at Washington High School, which he graduated from in 1986, and then oversaw the School Resource Officer Program. Crittendon is an Indiana Law Enforcement Certified Instructor and former Defensive Tactics Instructor. He is a graduate of the Police Executive Leadership Academy, and is co-founder, treasurer, and past president of the Indiana School Resource Officers Association. 

Support Division Chief Robert Lanchsweerdt

As Support Division Chief, Lanchsweerdt oversees the Detective Bureau and the Logistics Bureau of the Police Department. Support Division Chief Lanchsweerdt graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1995 with dual bachelor degrees in Business Administration and Sociology (focus on Criminal Justice).  Division Chief Lanchsweerdt joined the South Bend Police Department in 1996.   His police career includes patrol officer, Field Training Officer, Detective, Regional Crime Intelligence Officer, and Accreditation and Risk Manager.  Prior to promotion to Division Chief, Lanchsweerdt created and operated the Crime Office where he identified and tracked high-risk offenders and used advanced analytics for police resource allocation.