Community Outreach
Relationship-Based Policing
Relationship-based policing focuses on developing a relationship between the South Bend Police Department and the community it serves. By interacting with our community and developing strong relationships, we can build mutual trust. When that trust is built, we can reduce crime, decrease the fear of crime, and make South Bend a safe and vibrant community for everyone.
How We Build Relationships
FOP #36 SANTA’S ELFICERS PROGRAM
Every child deserves to experience the magic of the holiday season โ that’s the idea behind the FOP #36 Santa’s Elficers Program. Each year, FOP #36 and the South Bend Police Department provide hundreds of children with overflowing boxes of wrapped holiday gifts, delivered right to their doorstep by SBPD uniform officers.
Applications typically open after Halloween, with deliveries scheduled in the days leading up to Christmas.
The program has gained national recognition, with officers appearing live on Fox News in 2022 to discuss saving Christmas for a family who lost everything before the holidays.
Follow the Santa’s Elficers Facebook Page to stay up-to-date on when the application process opens.
SBPD Food pantry
The South Bend Police Department is one of the few local departments with an expansive food pantry to help residents in a time of need. The food pantry can be accessed by officers 24/7 when they encounter people who need a helping hand. The pantry is stocked with non-perishable food items, toiletries, diapers, baby clothes, baby food, formula and other necessities.
The pantry is fully supported by donations from our community, boosted by an annual food drive typically hosted in the late summer or early fall.
When we receive an excess of donations, we coordinate with local organizations to share the wealth of our donations.
For information on how to donate to the pantry, email Ashley O’Chap at ao’[email protected].
South Bend Police Department Blood Drive
Every year, the South Bend Police Department partners with the South Bend Medical Foundation to host the Indiana Fallen Officers Blood Drive. It is just another way for us to give back to our community.
Be sure to follow us on Facebook to find out when our next drive is scheduled!
Community Cookouts
Each summer, the South Bend Police Department holds two cookouts โ one to celebrate the end of the school year and one to wrap up summer. The cookouts are held in various parks throughout the city and allow kids, their parents/guardians and police to spend time with each other in a fun, inviting and stress-free environment.
The cookouts grow each year, with more local businesses joining in on the fun.
The biggest attraction is always our state-of-the-art SBPD bounce house and slide, which is modeled after one of our patrol vehicles.
NATIONAL NIGHT OUT
The South Bend Police Department is proud to be among the hundreds of law enforcement agencies across the country that hold National Night Out events on the first Tuesday in August.
National Night Out transforms our parking lot into a fun and safety fair, packed with businesses and organizations that serve our community in a variety of ways.
The event allows kids to get an up-close look at our police vehicles, meet some of our officers and enjoy plenty of free food, games and prizes.
Cops & Goblins
It’s one of the biggest trick-or-treat events in Michiana… and we are proud to help host it! Cops and Goblins, a longstanding partnership between our department and the South Bend Cubs, offers a fun, safe and FREE night of trick-or-treating for our community.
The event is typically held at Four Winds Field and features candy tables from more than 100 local organizations.
Cops and Goblins is usually held toward the end of October. Free tickets are required for admission. We will post information on our Facebook page regarding when and where you can grab those tickets for the next event.
Park & Play
As officers drive around the community, we encourage them to get out and interact with our youth. These interactions come in many forms. A lot of times they will join in on basketball games, play catch, play soccer and more!
School Engagement
The South Bend Police Department is proud to provide a team of School Resource Officers to help keep our local schools safe.
Our SROs embed themselves into the school culture, often serving as coaches, tutors and mentors for the hundreds of students they see each day.
When school is out for the summer, they help out with summer school or the South Bend Police Athletic League’s Summer Sports Camps.
COMMUNITY CRIME STAT MEETINGS
On the second Wednesday of each month, SBPD invites members of our community to attend our monthly Community Crime Stat Meeting, which will provide a high-level view of crime data across the city. At these meetings, you will have a chance to ask officers specific questions about crime and safety in your neighborhood.
COPS & COMMUNITY
Each month, the South Bend Police Department teams up with Notre Dame Federal Credit Union to host Cops & Community events. These events typically center around a meal time and offer our residents an opportunity to eat with our officers and talk to them about anything that may be on their mind.
Follow us on Facebook our check the event calendar on our website to find out when and where our next Cops & Community will be held!
Citizens Police Academy
Twice a year, we host a Citizens Police Academy. It is a free, 9-week program that highlights all the units that make up the South Bend Police Department and gives community members an in-depth look at what the South Bend Police Department is all about.
Applications for the Spring academy typically open in January… and applications for the Fall academy will open up in late Summer. Once those applications are open, we will post the information on our website and social media channels.
Cadet & Junior Cadet Program
The South Bend Police Department Cadet Program is designed for young men and women interested in exploring and developing their interest in the field of law enforcement while completing their college degrees.
For more information on the cadet program, call 574-235-9224.