Scott Ruszkowski, Chief of Police, issed the following general order confirming the City's expectation that per SBPD duty manual, all officers are to keep their body cameras activated when engaging civilians:
“Officers should activate their body cameras during all work-related interactions with civilians.
This Order reminds all personnel of our Body Camera Activation Policy #424.6 and the expectation that all enforcement and investigative contacts, traffic stops (including back-up), field interviews, and self-initiated contacts shall be recorded.
This includes non-emergency call responses and any time there is civilian contact in relation to a complaint.
Please see your Division Chief if you have any questions.”
To see the full SBPD body camera policy, please see the South Bend Police Department Transparency Hub.