Mayor Pete Buttigieg and South Bend Police Chief Scott Ruszkowski will attend a meeting of mayors and police chiefs held by the United States Conference of Mayors on April 9 and 10. The convening, titled “Keeping Cities Safe in a Changing Environment,” will examine the current state of policing, highlight best practices, and discuss the most pressing issues facing mayors and police chiefs in cities of all sizes, including:
• Increasing School Safety
• Strengthening Police/Community Relations
• Supporting Continued Police Department Reform
• Improving Police Department Interaction with People in Crisis
• Building Trust with Immigrant Communities
• Preparing for and Responding to Active Shooter Situations
Joining the discussion will be leaders of major national police chief associations, former and current police chiefs, and executives of the Council of the Great City Schools, the National School Resource Officers Association, the President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing, and the National Immigration Forum.
“We expect to benefit a great deal from discussing these issues with other cities facing similar challenges, and learning about new tools for public safety,” said Mayor Buttigieg. “There is not just a local but a national conversation about recent increases in violence, and South Bend needs to be at the table.”
“This is a great opportunity to share and compare notes on how we can best serve our communities,” said Chief Ruszkowski. “The SBPD is always looking to maximize our police resources, while continuously working toward a safer South Bend.”
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