St. Joseph County Police
Patrol Division
The Saint Joseph County Patrol Division is responsible for
over 111,000 people who live outside the corporate limits of South Bend and
Mishawaka. This area comprises of 467 square miles. Last year (2004) patrol
officers were dispatched to 44,000 calls, and generated over 10,500 reports,
wrote 10,000 traffic tickets, and answered over 4,000 alarms. The main function
of the patrol division is to answer any call from citizens requesting the
police, and to investigate crime and traffic accidents.
The patrol division headquarters, motor pool, and communications center is
located at 4817 Lincoln Way West, South Bend, in front of the Michiana Regional
Airport. Major James Weisser a 32-year veteran is the Division Commander. The
division has three shifts that staff the County 24/7. The 1st detail runs from
6:00AM to 2:30PM. The shift commander is Captain Dean Chandler, a 19-year
veteran. The 2nd detail runs from 2:00PM to 10:30PM. The shift commander is
Sgt. Ron Gerkey, a 20-year veteran. The 3rd detail runs from 10:00PM to
6:30AM. The shift commander is Captain Dennis Dulcet, a 32-year veteran. Each
shift has approximately 18 officers assigned, which includes supervisory
personnel. The patrol shifts operate on six days on and three days off
schedule.
Within the patrol division is the traffic investigation section, along with the
traffic enforcement section. Lt. Dave Hoffman a 29-year veteran supervises the
traffic investigations section, which is responsible for the review of all
traffic accident reports taken. This section is also responsible for all fatal,
serious injury investigations, and all hit and run investigations. Other patrol
officers are assigned to this section when required. Sgt. John Kuhny, a 20-year
veteran, supervises the traffic enforcement section, where three full time
officers' main function is the enforcement of all traffic laws in Saint Joseph
County.
Five other patrol officers are assigned to full time duties as school resource
officers and the DARE program. Two Resource Officers are assigned to the
Penn-Harris-Madison School District, and one to the South Bend School
Corporation. Two other officers teach in our school districts as DARE
Officers. During the summer months, these five officers are assigned to regular
patrol duties, or traffic enforcement.