Stop the City of South Bend Police Merit Board

In 2023, the Indiana Legislature adopted House Bill 1016 which encourages cities to establish a police merit system or board by no later than December 31, 2024. The board consists of 5 members, with 2 members appointed by the police, 2 by the Mayor, and 1 member appointed by the South Bend Common Council. If enacted locally, this merit board will give the police increased power over hiring, firing, promoting, and disciplining fellow officers.

The state legislation does allow for cities to reject the establishment of a merit system by adoption of a resolution or ordinance before the of the ...

In 2023, the Indiana Legislature adopted House Bill 1016 which encourages cities to establish a police merit system or board by no later than December 31, 2024. The board consists of 5 members, with 2 members appointed by the police, 2 by the Mayor, and 1 member appointed by the South Bend Common Council. If enacted locally, this merit board will give the police increased power over hiring, firing, promoting, and disciplining fellow officers.

The state legislation does allow for cities to reject the establishment of a merit system by adoption of a resolution or ordinance before the of the year that refuses to establish a new system. If a resolution or ordinance to either accept/establish or reject a merit board is not passed by December 31, 2024, the State of Indiana will establish a board for the City of South Bend.

Accelerate Indiana Municipalities (AIM), a nonpartisan organization that advocates for Indiana municipalities, opposes the legislation, citing that it changes how the decision to establish a merit system is made locally.

Mayor James Mueller and his administration have aligned with the Republican Supermajority in the Indiana State Legislature and the racist, anti-Black Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) to create a merit board that will increase police power by allowing the police department to oversee itself. Let us not forget that the U.S. Federal Government is suing the City of South Bend for its pattern and practice of racist and sexist discriminatory practices against Black and female police department applicants.

Read more about that U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) lawsuit here: Office of Public Affairs | Justice Department Sues South Bend, Indiana, for Discriminating Against Black and Female Police Officer Applicants | United States Department of Justice

The state legislation reads:

"Effective January 1, 2025, a merit system is established for each eligible department that does not have a merit system unless, not later than December 31, 2024, the unit, territory, or district: (1) establishes a merit system: (A) under section 3 of this chapter, in the case of a unit; or (B) section 1.1 of this chapter, in the case of a district or territory; or (2) adopts a resolution rejecting establishment of a merit system in accordance with subsection (e)."

This means that the City of South Bend can effectively reject the establishment of a board by way of resolution or ordninance. We ask that you support our campaign to stop Bill No. 65-24, an ordinance of the South Bend Common Council adopting a police merit board system.

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Stop the City of South Bend Police Merit Board

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We, the people of the City of South Bend and surrounding communities can effectively reject the establishment of a board by way of resolution or ordinance. We ask that you support our campaign to stop Bill No. 65-24, an ordinance of the South Bend Common Council adopting a police merit board system. Once stopped, then we will press the South Bend Common Council to pass a resolution to reject the police merit board.

Please send an email to South Bend Common Council Members to help us stop the passage of this bill.

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Dear South Bend Common Council Member(s),

I am writing to urge you to reject Bill No. 65-24, an ordinance establishing a police merit board for the South Bend Police Department.

In 2023, the Indiana Legislature adopted House Bill 1016 which encourages cities to establish a police merit system or board by no later than December 31, 2024. Mayor James Mueller proposes a board consisting of 5 members: 2 members appointed by the police; 2 by the Mayor; and 1 member appointed by the South Bend Common Council.

If enacted locally, this merit board will give the police increased power over hiring, firing, promoting, and disciplining fellow officers.

State legislation allows for cities to reject the establishment of a merit system by adoption of a resolution or ordinance before the of the year that refuses to establish a new system. If a resolution or ordinance to either accept/establish or reject a merit board is not passed by December 31, 2024, the State of Indiana will establish a board for the City of South Bend.

As a concerned resident, I urge you to reject Bill No. 65-24, an ordinance of the South Bend Common Council adopting a police merit board system. Once rejected, I ask you to author and/or vote in favor of a resolution of the South Bend Common Council to reject the establishment of new police merit system.

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