Community Police Review Board Meeting - 8.21.25

The City of South Bend Community Police Review Board meeting on December 8, 2025, focused heavily on public concerns regarding police conduct, particularly an incident involving the use of force on a 14-year-old girl. Numerous community members voiced their frustrations about transparency, accountability, and the board's investigative powers. Key issues raised included the board's limited authority to investigate cases without formal complaints, lack of access to police body camera footage, and the financial barriers to obtaining such footage. Board members discussed potential policy improvements, including the possibility of consulting retired police officers as non-voting advisors to provide expertise. The board also emphasized the importance of community education about complaint filing procedures and expressed intentions to review and improve their processes. The meeting concluded with motions to seek legal opinions on meeting formats and to compile recommendations for policy changes to present to the city council.