Black History in Michiana: Lynn Coleman's fight for justice, equality, and safer communities

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Lynn Coleman is a trailblazer whose career not only refined law enforcement in South Bend, but helped rewrite the narrative for African American officers.

After being sworn in as an officer in 1978 Coleman quickly learned the realities of being a Black officer with the South Bend Police Department.

There were only 17 African American officers in an era where drug culture and gang violence were a significant issue.

Coleman mentioned this led to the discrimination lawsuit he filed with the help of the University of Notre Dame Law School against the city for promotions and hiring.

The challenges Black officers faced led to the formation of the Minority Police Officer Association where they discussed issues affecting minority officers and how they should be considered for careers in law enforcement.

They were not successful in winning the racial discrimination lawsuit but it sparked attention getting more than 30 Black officers on the force in a few years.

Coleman advocated for change alongside community members who helped tutor applicants to ensure they were prepared to pass their entrance exams.

His legacy stands as a powerful reminder of justice and equality in South Bend history. He thanks his ancestors for paving the way for his success.

“All those guys that served before us, Spam, Mitchum, Moon, Mullins, Jimbo Robinson, the names go on and on and on. And then the younger guys right after them, Nova Williams and Kelly Walton and Gene Kyle, John Williams and John Floyd,” said Coleman. “It gave you somebody that you could talk to, that you look up to, that looked like you, that you know you had connections to, and it made it good. And so, I'm grateful for their service and the opportunity to serve with them."

Serving on the police force during the 70s through the 90s, Coleman witnessed first-hand the struggles of African American officers.

Kids dropped out of school to spend time on the street, something he thinks we're still paying for in communities today. Violence became more aggressive, and many kids lost their parents or saw them sent to prison for decades of their life.

After being reassigned to Gang Crime in 1986 to understand the shift in culture, he learned that law enforcement needed to build relationships with the community to intercept issues and improve engagement.

From tackling gang violence to fighting equal representation in law enforcement, his contributions to reshaped Black history in South Bend.

After his family had negative interactions with police and his brother was sent to prison it was important to Coleman to keep people out of jail, rather than focusing on arresting them.

Coleman dedicated most of his work towards changing that narrative from sergeant, lieutenant, and commander of the juvenile unit in 1991, where he then worked to improve relationships with the youth.

“I was fortunate, blessed to be considered the chief of police. I got promoted to Division Chief. I was Division Chief over Juvenile Services, and they changed me from Juvenile Services to the Investigative Division. The detective bureau, I worked there from 98 and 2000s,” said Coleman. “All of those positions gave me an opportunity to be involved in the community, spending time in schools and neighborhood groups, and organizations, and with individuals, and just trying to help somebody.”

The trailblazer ended his career as the Division Chief over Juvenile Services and if you see him in the community today, he continues to mentor youth in our school systems and hospitals.