Effective March 2023, Eric Crittendon will serve as the Security and Preparedness Director for the South Bend Community School Corporation (SBCSC). 

Crittendon has worked as an Indiana law enforcement certified instructor and defensive tactics instructor. He is a graduate of the Police Executive Leadership Academy and co-founder, past treasurer and past president of the Indiana School Resource Officers Association.

Crittendon serves as the patrol division chief for the South Bend Police Department. He has been a member of the city’s police force since 1990. He served as a school resource officer for 16 years and has supervised SBCSC’s SROs for the past decade. Crittendon is a certified school safety specialist in Indiana.

As the district’s Security and Preparedness Director, Crittendon will oversee the safety of facilities, assist principals and security staff in maintaining discipline and order, and provide comprehensive safety training for employees. 

Crittendon has been instrumental in strengthening security measures within the school district before and following the referendum’s passing. Measures to improve school safety over the past year include the adoption of SafeVisitor systems in all school buildings, updating and improving video surveillance and reviewing and fortifying emergency response and safety plans. 

“With 33 years of police experience, Chief Crittendon has spent more than half of his life serving our city and our department,” said South Bend Police Chief Scott Ruszkowski. “I am encouraged that his new role will allow us to maintain a good working relationship with the ultimate goal of better protecting the students and staff of South Bend Schools.”

Congratulations!