South Bend Police Department Press Release

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How would you like to step inside our S.W.A.T. truck like you see on T.V. or examine a finger print under a microscope in our CSI laboratory? The newest class addition presents the Child Dangers of the Internet and Computer & Technology Crime Overview.

The South Bend Police Department is pleased to announce information regarding our next Citizen=s Police Academy. This will be the 29th academy session of education classes offered to the public to promote an understanding and awareness of the duties and responsibilities of the South Bend Police Department. The next scheduled academy will run for 13 weeks, starting March 11th and ending on June 10, 2008. A mid-academy break is scheduled for the week of April 27. 2008. All classes are on Tuesday evenings from 6:00 P.M. to 8:30 P.M.

General class topics include:

· Department community policing efforts

· Hands-on interacting with officers from patrol and investigative division

· See and learn what it takes to be a radio dispatcher and handle 911 calls

· Hands-on demonstrations from the K-9, SWAT, and the Bomb Disposal Unit.

· In-depth operations presentation and tour of the Juvenile Justice Center.

· Metro Homicide Unit: What is evidence and how it all connects together.

· Upon graduation, participants are also available to ride with an officer to see the patrol functions from a first hand view.

Have you ever had a question about the police department that you would like to get feedback in a comfortable setting? If you live or work around South Bend and want to get to know your police department better, this is your best opportunity. For a further look at classroom issues, click onto the South Bend Police Department Web Page at: www.southbendpolice.com or e-mail any questions to sbpd@southbendIN.gov. The class size is limited to 40 participants, is free of charge, and light refreshments will be provided.

Applications can be picked up at the front desk of the South Bend Police Department or you can contact these officers for enrollment:

Cpl. Aaron Cassel at (574) 235-9401 or Lt. Richard Powers at (574) 235-9402.

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From January 1st., 2008, through the first week in February, the City experienced a larger than average number of motor vehicle thefts. When this data was analyzed, it was found that nearly half (46%) of the vehicles taken in the City during this time period were left idling, unattended when taken.

Due to the extreme weather, it is understandable that drivers would want to get into a warm car, however the practice of starting a vehicle and then leaving it unattended is simply offering it to a thief. We would urge drivers to always stay with their vehicles unless the car is switched off with the doors locked.

Don't give your car away to a thief! In almost all auto-theft cases, when the police recover the vehicle it has some damage or abuse that will never be correctable.