South Bend FOP Lodge #36 responds to interaction at Coquillard

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. – The South Bend FOP Lodge #36 responds to an interaction that has left some with questions at Coquillard Elementary School.

ABC57 received body camera footage of Dr. Cheryl Camacho, South Bend School Empowerment Zone chief, asking a South Bend Police officer to leave after coming into the school without being escorted inside the building.

The South Bend FOP Lodge #36 has since responded, stating on their Facebook page that this incident “is both frustrating and deeply concerning for members of FOP Lodge 36.”

The department stated that walking through schools is a way for officers to both develop relationships between students and educators and keep communities safe, according to their Facebook post.

Their post says that the comments that Dr. Camacho is “feeding into the division.” However, they also stated that they are open to discussions and finding ways to better help the community.

To read the entire post, click here.