December 11, 2018

Elkhart Police Chief Resigns Amid Discipline Controversies

Elkhart Police Department

Elkhart Police Department

ELKHART, Ind. (AP) — A northern Indiana police chief who downplayed the beating of a handcuffed suspect by two officers and faced other controversies over discipline has resigned.

Elkhart's Chief Ed Windbigler said in a letter Monday that Mayor Tim Neese asked him to resign.

The letter states he's "not perfect and have made mistakes," but "always tried to make sure we were making decisions that would be best for the department."

The South Bend Tribune published a story Sunday about an officer with a drunken-driving conviction who was promoted and never disciplined. The newspaper and ProPublica have been cooperating on a series of stories about the Elkhart County justice system that raised questions about the department.

Last month, Neese placed Windbigler on 30-day suspension after the release of a video showing the beating.

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