It is clear from the investigative reporting done by ProPublica and the South Bend Tribune, that Elkhart Police Officers cannot police themselves.
Elkhart Mayor Tim Neese, has suspended Police Chief Ed Windbigler for 30 days after reporting by the South Bend Tribune and ProPublica revealed high rates of police brutality within the Elkhart Police Department. The Board of Public Safety is planning to appoint a five-member board to review uses of excessive force. It was proposed that all five members of the new board should be police officers. This is unacceptable.
Jane Henegar, ACLU of Indiana Executive Director said, “The use of excessive force and shootings in Elkhart must be properly and impartially investigated, not just to hold individual officers accountable but to change the policies and practices that keep leading to police abuses of power. Appointing an oversight board that consists solely of law enforcement officials, will not cut it. Calling for the Department of Justice, which has been handcuffed by the Trump administration, will not cut it."
Elkhart community members must hold Mayor Neese and the Board of Public Safety accountable by calling for the city to work with community stakeholders to bring in a proven, independent third-party expert to examine these endemic and historic acts of brutality within the Elkhart Police Department.
CONTACT YOUR ELKHART OFFICIALS & SAY NO TO THE ELKHART POLICE DEPARTMENT, POLICING ITSELF –
Tim Neese, Mayor
574-293-8968
webmaster@coei.org
Board of Public Safety Members
Anthoney Coleman, Member
anthonycoleman40@netzero.net
Dr. Robert Woods, Chairman
rwoods@elkhart.k12.in.us
Rev. Jean Mayes, Vice-Chairman
wjbm6@comcast.net
Kevin Segner, Member
kevinsegner@comcast.net
Tom Misener, Member
thomas.misener@gmail.com
More on the ProPublica Report here:
