Pete Buttigieg Asks Department Of Justice For Help In Addressing South Bend Shooting

South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg sent a letter to the Department of Justice asking them for help in responding to a local case in which a police sergeant shot and killed a black man.

Many South Bend residents, concerned about racial issues and their impact on our department, believe that the Department of Justice could be of assistance,” Buttigieg wrote. “As Mayor of South Bend, I consider it imperative that there be absolutely no racism in our city’s Police Department, and I welcome support in ensuring that no appearance or reality of racial bias impact our City’s law enforcement.”

Buttigieg has come under scrutiny for the shooting and for existing racial disparities in the South Bend Police Department. At a town hall event in June, he attempted to provide clarity on the situation to emotional residents, who criticized the mayor and police chief for what they saw as failing to hold racist police officers accountable.

The mayor said neither he nor the police chief held the power to fire an officer and that the power rested with the Board of Public Safety.

The mayor emphasized in his letter that he hoped that dialogue with the Department of Justice would assist the city and its community moving forward.

“I welcome the opportunity to learn more about ways the U.S. Department of Justice could assist our community. I would appreciate an opportunity to discuss this further,” he concluded.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/pete-buttigieg-south-bend-shooting_n_5d1bb26be4b07f6ca585669f