Today, Mayor Pete Buttigieg joined Chief of Police Scott Ruszkowski to appoint Eric Crittendon as Patrol Division Chief, Robert Lanchsweerdt as Support Division Chief, and Jeff Rynearson as Operations Division Chief. All are veterans of the South Bend Police Department.
“I am delighted that Chief Ruszkowski has selected two outstanding leaders to join Division Chief Rynearson on his command staff,” Mayor Buttigieg says. “Their appointments reflect their extensive experience and the dedication they have shown to making the SBPD a leader in community policing, modern tactics, and professionalism.”
Crittendon, a South Bend native, has been on the force since 1990, first working as a School Resource Officer at Washington High School, where he graduated in 1986, and then overseeing the School Resource Officer Program. Crittendon is an Indiana Law Enforcement Certified Instructor and former Defensive Tactics Instructor. He is a graduate of Police Executive Leadership Academy and co-founder, treasurer, and past president of the Indiana School Resource Officers Association.
Lanchsweerdt, who’s served for 20 years, has held various positions in the department including patrol officer, field training officer, detective, regional crime intelligence officer, accreditation and risk manager, and most recently working in the crime office where he was involved with intelligence-led policing using advanced analytics to determine resource allocation. Lanchsweerdt graduated from the University of Notre Dame with degrees in business and sociology.
“Effective leadership within the SBPD is now more important than ever,” Chief Ruszkowski says. “I’m confident the new command staff will continue to advance the vision and core values of the police department as we continue to serve and support the South Bend community.”
Rynearson continues to hold the rank of Division Chief and remains the second in command under Chief Ruszkowski. He will support the overall management of operations and day-to-day administration, as well as coordinate the strategic plans of the police department.