South Bend Police Recruiting Data. The Facts.

South Bend Police Recruiting Data. The Facts.

I told you on my show the Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against the South Bend Police Department (and the city) for alleged violations of Title VII.

The reasons listed by the Biden/Harris administration are that the SBPD requires a physical and written exam to apply to become a police officer. The government says this is not necessary for the job’s duties. That’s obviously insane.

Here’s the SBPD’s response:

The City of South Bend will vigorously defend a lawsuit filed today by the Department of Justice, which accuses the City’s Police Department of unlawful hiring practices.

The City learned of the filing through the DOJ’s press release and has not yet been formally served with the Complaint. Based on a preliminary review, the DOJ is not accusing the City of intentional discrimination. Instead, the lawsuit claims that the City Police Department’s hiring process and testing for new officers has had a disparate impact on female and African American applicants.

The City has consistently sought to build a diverse workforce, while it fulfills the requirements of state law, and makes sure that applicants can perform the job responsibilities of a South Bend police officer.

The South Bend Police Department believes its screening process fairly measures a candidate’s ability to perform the job. Like every other city in Indiana, South Bend must ensure its officers meet certain minimum criteria. Unlike every city in Indiana, South Bend allows every applicant multiple attempts at the physical examination per hiring cycle.

In its lawsuit, the DOJ accuses the SBPD of requiring a physical test that allegedly disproportionately screens women. However, the City’s requirements are consistent with the ILEA, the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy (an agency created by Indiana law), which sets the minimum physical standards for police officers in Indiana.

The DOJ’s lawsuit also attacks the SBPD’s written test, which is administered by an outside firm and is similar to written tests in other Indiana police departments, including the Indiana State Police. South Bend has regularly evaluated its written test to make sure it is fair and non-biased. Importantly, all SBPD applicants are invited to free tutoring sessions to prepare for the written test.

SBPD is confident that its standard applicant process results in high quality officers to protect and serve the City.

“I am beyond disappointed that the DOJ has not been forthcoming with how these claims were determined in the first place,” said South Bend Police Chief Scott Ruszkowski. “Our hiring process, which includes females and African American applicants, has been consistent over the last ten years and led to an increasingly diverse department, especially over the past several years. We have even asked the outside testing company to modify the written test to open the process to more applicants. We are, and have been, very transparent and inclusive in our hiring process. All requirements are listed online and meet State mandates, and more importantly, meet what our community expects in a professional police officer.”

From 2017 to 2023, SBPD hired 15 female officers and 29 officers of color, accounting for 12.6% and 24.4% of all new officers, respectively. Currently, 9.9% of all officers are females and 11.5% of all officers are black – the highest percentage of black officers since at least 2012. Nationally, female officers make up 13.5% of local police departments and black officers make up 11.6%.[1]

The City, which has been cooperating with the DOJ during its investigation, believes the DOJ’s lawsuit ignores the City’s obligations to comply with state law, will cause a delay in the City’s hiring processes, and amounts to a waste of taxpayer resources.

“The City is committed to recruiting a workforce that represents the community we serve, and the City is proud of the progress we have made over the past several years,” said Mayor James Mueller. “Our police department has worked diligently to increase the number of officers from underrepresented groups and to follow the letter and spirit of Indiana and federal law. Although the costs of this targeted litigation will be borne by federal and local taxpayers, the City will not voluntarily agree to federal control. We hope that common sense will prevail during the judicial process.”

[1] Local Police Departments Personnel, 2020. United States Department of Justice, November 2022.

City of South Bend

The City of South Bend gets a lot of things wrong. However, they have an awesome police data portal. This portal is accessible to everyone for free and covers recruitment data.

The chart above is for overall numbers.

The chart below is for SBPD recruiting based on ethnicity.

Nearly 65% of Black candidates passed the written test.

Nearly 85% of White candidates passed the written test.

This appears to be the source of the Biden/Harris administration’s ire.

77% of Black candidates passed the physical test.

White candidates passed with an 87% rate.

Black and White candidates were nearly equal in the percentage who made it past the background check to the polygraph, medical, and psych evaluations to be hired.

This simplified chart only compares Black, White, and all candidates:

South Bend police recruiting Black, White, and all candidates.

The Biden/Harris DOJ also alleges the physical test is sexist against women. Below is a chart for SBPD recruiting based on gender:

South Bend Police recruiting by gender 2017-2023.

Just under 54% of women candidates passed the physical test.

Just over 87% of men passed the physical test.

This is at the heart of the DOJ’s allegations.

Nearly 88% of women passed the written test.

Just under 80% of men passed the written test.

Notice the DOJ isn’t concerned with women outperforming men on the written requirement.

Women also performed better than men on the personal evaluation and the background check. All were ignored by the DOJ in this issue.

Men and women were also nearly equal in the percentage who made it past the background check to the polygraph, medical, and psych evaluations to be hired.

Various sources of data on these statistics fluctuate a couple of percentage points here and there. I used data mainly from the National Policing Institute. That’s why you will see some of my numbers differ slightly from the numbers released by South Bend.

Looking at the data, you can see that as long as a candidate can get past the required examinations, they stand roughly and equal chance of getting hired regardless of race or gender.

Furthermore, since 2017, the South Bend Police Department has hired more Black officers and Women officers than is the national average. Their total force is getting closer to national averages as a whole. This is line with my interview with SBPD Chief Scott Ruszkowski in August of 2017 where he highlighted the efforts to diversify the department after former mayor Pete Buttigieg became a national story and had an embarrassing campaign setback due to his stance on policing. Chief Ruszkowski assured my in 2017 that they were making efforts to diversify the department but that they weren’t going to jeopardize the department’s quality in doing so. Candidates needed to meet the requirements and standards.

The SBPD doesn’t even administer the tests the DOJ is suing them over. They are administered by a third party who works with over 100 agencies in multiple states.

The department has been using the same written test since 2012, and the physical testing is mandated by the state of Indiana, according to department sources. This has never been brought up before now.

In January 2021, Joe Biden chose Kristen Clarke to head the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division. Suddenly, the SBPD is in the crosshairs.

Clarke has a history of race-obsessed left-wing activism and election denying. She has previously claimed that Blacks had “superior physical and mental abilities” to others. She also invited an antisemitic conspiracy theorist to be a guest speaker on campus at Harvard.

Clarke’s disturbing history of bigotry and left-wing zealotry is concerning enough. However, it’s her history of supporting the radical ‘defund the police’ movement that is most concerning.

Given Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg’s ties with the city of South Bend, his tattered relationship with the SBPD, and Kristen Clarke’s radicalism, one has to wonder if this might be personal against the SBPD. One also has to consider that the DOJ is advancing the ‘defund the police’ agenda with this lawsuit.

CHEAT SHEET

Key Takeaways from the Blog Post on South Bend Police Recruiting Data

  1. DOJ Lawsuit Against South Bend Police Department (SBPD)
    • The DOJ has sued SBPD and the City of South Bend, alleging discrimination in hiring practices under Title VII.
    • The lawsuit claims that the physical and written tests used by SBPD disproportionately impact female and Black applicants, despite SBPD arguing that these exams are essential to police duties.
  2. SBPD’s Defense and Response
    • The City of South Bend asserts that the tests comply with Indiana state law and are aligned with the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy’s standards.
    • SBPD emphasizes that applicants have multiple attempts to pass the physical exam during a hiring cycle and access to free tutoring sessions for the written test.
    • The department argues that the lawsuit ignores SBPD’s efforts to build a diverse police force and meet community expectations.
  3. Recruitment Data Analysis
    • Black candidates have a pass rate of 77% on the physical test, compared to 87% for White candidates.
    • The physical exam pass rate for women is lower at 54%, compared to 87% for men, which forms the core of the DOJ’s discrimination claim.
    • Women perform better than men on the written test (88% vs. 80%) and background evaluations, but the DOJ does not highlight these results in its lawsuit.
    • SBPD maintains that candidates who clear the required tests stand equal chances of hiring regardless of gender or race.
  4. Efforts Toward Diversity
    • From 2017-2023, SBPD hired 15 female officers (12.6%) and 29 officers of color (24.4%), bringing it closer to national averages for diversity in police departments.
    • SBPD Chief Scott Ruszkowski has reiterated efforts to diversify without compromising hiring standards.
  5. Political and Personal Factors in the Lawsuit
    • The blog suggests that the lawsuit may be influenced by political motives given South Bend’s connection to Pete Buttigieg, and the involvement of Kristen Clarke, head of the DOJ Civil Rights Division, who has a controversial history with race-related activism and police reform advocacy.
  6. Third-Party Test Administration
    • SBPD clarifies that the tests are administered by a third-party organization used by multiple agencies across states and have been in place since 2012 without previous legal challenges.
  7. Impact on City Resources
    • South Bend officials criticize the lawsuit as a waste of taxpayer resources and emphasize their commitment to following both state and federal law.

This summary highlights how the city believes its hiring practices are fair and compliant with legal standards while portraying the DOJ’s lawsuit as politically motivated and harmful to local hiring efforts.

U.S. Government Sues South Bend: DOJ Alleges Discrimination in Police Hiring Practices

U.S. Government Sues South Bend: DOJ Alleges Discrimination in Police Hiring Practices

The U.S. government has filed a ridiculous lawsuit against South Bend, IN, alleging discriminatory hiring practices in the city’s police department. The complaint claims the use of written and physical fitness tests disproportionately excluded African-American and female applicants.

The Department of Justice argues that these tests were not job-related or necessary for business purposes, violating Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. I guess police officers can’t be required to pass a basic cognitive and physical test. The lawsuit seeks to reform the hiring process and ensure ‘equitable’ hiring policies moving forward. What a load of crap.

The lawsuit appears to be ludicrous on its face at this point. I’ve interviewed Chief Scott Ruszkowski on my show about the efforts to recruit more minority police officers after the Pete Buttigieg scandals. They were specifically reaching out to the very candidates that the federal government is now suing them over.

For full details, you can review the official document here.


Daily Show Prep: Tuesday, Oct. 8

Daily Show Prep: Tuesday, Oct. 8

Casey Hendrickson Show Recap: DeSantis Slams Harris, Trump Gains Working-Class Support, FEMA Funds Under Scrutiny

Hour 1 Recap:

A Springfield resident captured a shocking moment involving a Haitian migrant in a “pet-friendly” apartment complex. The incident was featured on CNN, raising questions about the situation. Governor Ron DeSantis also made headlines for his sharp critique of Vice President Kamala Harris, accusing her of lying about a phone call with Milton. DeSantis slammed Harris, stating she has “never contributed anything.” President Biden’s team appeared to distance themselves from the controversy, as Harris was caught lying about the DeSantis call, with many seeing Biden’s reaction as a move to throw her under the bus.

Pastor Lucas Miles led this week’s Tuesday Tithe, a faith-based segment that resonates with many. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump continues to dominate the headlines. His support among union and working-class voters has surged, marking the highest approval for a Republican candidate in four decades. The Teamsters Union President added fuel to the fire, candidly telling comedian Theo Von that Democrats have “f**ked us over” for the last 40 years.

Hour 2 Recap:

In business news, McDonald’s is suing Tyson Foods for allegedly manipulating the beef supply chain to raise prices. The lawsuit comes as supply chain issues continue to affect various industries. In a bombshell report, Doug Emhoff, the Second Gentleman, faces claims of misogynistic behavior during his time at a Los Angeles law firm. Former staff accuse Emhoff of hiring a “trophy secretary” and retaliating against women who didn’t engage with his flirtatious behavior.

In disaster relief news, FEMA’s funding has become a hot topic. While Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas claimed that the agency has no more disaster funds, an IG report contradicted this, revealing that FEMA is sitting on billions of dollars. Following these claims, FEMA’s head clarified that the agency has cash for near-term aid, despite the ongoing debate about its financial health. Meanwhile, an unusual government decision sent electric chainsaws to an Appalachian town still struggling without power.

Hour 3 Recap:

In political news, Pennsylvania scheduled an update to its voter-registration website on the same day as former President Trump’s Butler rally, raising eyebrows among his supporters. In media coverage, CBS claimed that Trump backed out of an interview with 60 Minutes, but his campaign stated that he never agreed to the interview in the first place. Trump later revealed the terms he would accept for appearing on 60 Minutes, challenging the network’s credibility. Meanwhile, Vice President Harris faced another embarrassment as CBS reportedly edited out her fumbling “word salad” response during her interview, further feeding criticism of her performance.

Stay tuned for further developments on these stories and more updates on the latest political drama!

Keywords: Kamala Harris, Ron DeSantis, Donald Trump, working-class voters, Teamsters Union, FEMA funding, McDonald’s, Tyson Foods, Doug Emhoff


Hour 1

Springfield resident films Haitian migrant cutting up animal in yard of “pet-friendly” apartment complex featured on CNN

‘She’s NEVER Contributed ANYTHING’: DeSantis RIPS Kamala for LYING About Milton Phone Call (Watch)

WHOA! Biden THROWING Kamala Harris Under The Bus After She’s Caught LYING About DeSantis Call is GLORIOUS

Tuesday Tithe with Pastor Lucas Miles

Trump’s Support From Union and Working-Class Voters Is the HIGHEST for a Republican Presidential Candidate in Four Decades

Teamsters Union President Tells Comedian Theo Von Democrats ‘Have F**ked Us Over for the Last 40 Years’


Hour 2

McDonald’s is suing Tyson Foods for allegedly choking the beef supply chain to raise prices

EXCLUSIVEDoug Emhoff was a foul-mouthed ‘a**hole’ and ‘misogynist’ who hired a ‘trophy secretary’ because she was ‘pretty’ and ‘retaliated against women who didn’t flirt back’ at LA law firm, ex-staff claim

Mayorkas says FEMA has no more disaster funds, but IG report says agency is sitting on billions

FEMA Head Says Agency Has Cash For Near-Term Aid After Mayorkas Said It Lacked Funds To ‘Make It Through’ Season

Report: Government Sends Electric Chainsaws To Appalachian Town Without Power


Hour 3

Pennsylvania scheduled an update to their voter-registration website on the same day as Trump’s Butler rally

CBS says Trump has backed out of ’60 Minutes’ interview, but campaign says Trump never accepted

Trump reveals his terms for appearing on 60 Minutes after CBS claimed he pulled out of interview

Kamala Harris’ ‘world salad’ response on 60 Minutes edited out by CBS

Kamala decided to do a big-girl interview with “60 Minutes” and it did not go well for her. Grab your popcorn and get in here for the “highlights” 🍿

Daily Show Prep: Friday, May 3

Daily Show Prep: Friday, May 3

Hour 1

ACLU suing IU over Gaza War protest arrests

IU Faculty and Staff for Israel release statement on student protests

17 protesters arrested at the University of Notre Dame

Interview: Kenny Holmes from FreedomSystem.org

FLASHBACK: My interview with Capt. Chad Fleming


Hour 2

Milloy in NYTimes on corruption of GOP by wind/solar subsidies

#ToldYa

To Meet Electric Vehicle Goals, California Must Spend $20 Billion on Grid Updates

Sen. Mike Braun says marijuana legalization is ‘inevitable’

Weaker Than Expected: U.S. Hiring Slows With Economy Adding 175,000 Jobs in April and Unemployment Rose to 3.9%

IRS asks for more money, looks to hire 14,000 more employees

WATCH: ILLEGALS STORM THE MICHIGAN STATE CAPITAL AND DEMAND DRIVER’S LICENSES


Hour 3

Automakers Confirm Warrantless Location Data Sharing With US Agencies

Biden vows to “do something about gun violence” in his second term, calls Jefferson’s “tree of liberty” quote “a bunch of crap”

A Year After Biden Said We ‘Ended Cancer’ Patients Continue Dying From Shortages of Chemo Drugs

Daily Show Prep: Monday, March 25

Daily Show Prep: Monday, March 25

Hour 1

Moscow Terror Attack Suspects Hauled Before Court, One Literally Unconscious

Former Russian President Responds to Moscow Terror: ‘Kill Everyone Involved. Everyone’

U.S. Refuses To Vote Against UN Resolution Calling For Immediate Gaza Ceasefire. Israel Cancels Its Delegation’s Visit To Washington.

Four Years Later, Indiana Attorney General Corrects Governor’s Inflated Covid Data

Interview: Steve Boussom – Elkhart County Commission candidate – District 3

https://www.steveboussom.com/

https://www.953mnc.com/2024/03/25/final-goshen-resident-accused-in-school-board-election-finance-fraud/

https://wowo.com/fort-wayne-police-arrest-suspect-in-child-pornography-case/


Hour 2

Media: Trump Wins ‘Crucial,’ ‘Unexpected’ Victory in Bond Ruling

Chuck Todd Blasts His Own Network On-Air For Hiring Former RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel

Walmart+ Subscriptions May Soon Come With an Additional Shopping Perk

WTF? Walmart To Begin Charging For Guaranteed Self-Checkout Option

What salary lets you ‘live comfortably’ in Fort Wayne?

QuickFacts
Fort Wayne city, Indiana

Courts Demand Info About People Who Viewed Specific YouTube Videos


Hour 3

‘RINO’ Mike Gallagher Faces Imminent Threat of Expulsion After Resignation

Eric Adams Cancels Trip to Southern Border Citing Safety Concerns

Ex-Capitol Police Officer Running for Congress Was Suspended after Domestic Violence Allegation

Poll Shows Who Republicans Want as Trump’s VP Running Mate