ISP won't comment on possible DOJ investigation into Elkhart PD

The Indiana State Police have issued a statement about Elkhart Mayor Tim Neese's request to the US Department of Justice to look into alleged civil rights violations at the Elkhart Police Department.

The full statement of ISP Chief PIO Captain David Bursten:

As has been widely reported, the Indiana State Police understands the Mayor of Elkhart, IN  requested the United States Department of Justice (USDOJ) to investigate the allegation of a prisoner being battered while handcuffed at the Elkhart Police Department in January of 2018.   Such a formal request would address the issue of alleged civil rights violations, which are a separate federal issue from the state criminal charge of battery already filed by the Elkhart County Prosecutor’s Office.

The Indiana State Police believes it is important for the Elkhart community to know a federal investigation could determine facts not already known that are related to this incident.  The Indiana State Police cannot and will not speak to the USDOJ’s investigative status, methods, sources, techniques and/or the time-line of any potential investigation.