Latest FOP #36 Announcements

Mayor Pete Buttigieg announced Ron Teachman to lead the South Bend Police Department as its next Chief of Police. Teachman is a 34-year veteran of the New Bedford Police Department, where he rose through the ranks and served as chief from 2006 to 2011. Teachman has accepted the position and will take command in January.

“Chief Teachman is an experienced law enforcement professional with a proven track record of managing a large department and building strong partnerships to reduce violence,” said Mayor Buttigieg. “I am confident he will be an energetic and effective leader for the South Bend Police Department and the South Bend community."

He served on the Massachusetts Governor’s Anti-Crime Council’s Sub-Committee on Urban Violence and also graduated from the FBI National Academy. He received a J.D. in 1994 from the New England School of Law (magna cum laude) and is a member of the Massachusetts Bar.

The South Bend Police Department has 260 sworn officers and 72 full-time civilian employees as well as part-time help. Teachman will become the department’s 61st chief of police, according to a history catalogued by retired South Bend police officer and department historian Don Cornelis.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to continue as a public safety professional in service to others,” said Teachman. “It is exciting to have been selected by Mayor Buttigieg, who has a great vision for the future of South Bend, and to become part of his team moving the city forward. The Mayor’s passion for his hometown is infectious. I am also eager to work alongside the members of the of the South Bend Police Department and with the people of South Bend, from all walks of life and in every neighborhood, to lower crime and improve the quality of life."

During his time as chief in New Bedford, Teachman strengthened relations with federal, state, and local law enforcement and civilian partners. He also took on violent crime head-on through a citywide collaboration of law enforcement, social agencies and non-profits. This included engaging clergy, holding successful gun buy-back programs, expanding the School Resource Officer program, and holding regional gang intelligence meetings. He also developed task force participation with ATF, DEA, FBI, and the U.S. Marshals Service, and met weekly with Parole, Probation, District Attorney’s Office, Attorney General’s Office, Department of Children and Families, Department of Youth Services, school officials, and the local housing authority.

At New Bedford, Teachman spread a community policing philosophy throughout the police department and introduced intelligence-led policing and Hot Spot enforcement. He also increased the diversity of sworn personnel and instituted hiring practices based on language skills. During his time as chief, New Bedford saw a measured decrease in gun violence.