South Bend officials discuss use of force policy changes

(Krystal Vivian/News Now Warsaw)

SOUTH BEND (Network Indiana) — A second draft of South Bend’s new use of force policy for police officers is being considered by city leaders.

Mayor James Mueller hosted a zoom call with community members, police officers, and other stakeholders in discussing the updates. The policy lays out several different focuses of which police officers must be taught to consider before using any kind of force against someone.

It focuses more on de-escalation techniques, and that if any force is needed that it be “proportional” to the situation. City leaders hope to have the policy in place by early next year.