Chief Message 2008 saw several changes for the Michigan City Police Department. Even though it was known that several retirements would occur and the Department tried to hire in advance the Department was understaffed significantly during 2008. I am proud that the Men and Women of the Michigan City Police Department met the challenges before them.

Ben Neitzel Chief of Police E-Mail

The Department went through major changes in 2008 such as how we are dispatched with a merger of dispatching duties being shifted to the 911 Dispatching Center in LaPorte. This is proving to be a more efficient use of personnel along with being fiscally responsible to those we serve but again personnel are asked to do more with less and have risen to the challenge.

Unfortunately Michigan City suffered 4 homicides as defined by the FBI uniform crime report, with three of the homicides occurring in the first quarter of the year.  Of the four, three were closed by arrest(s). One is still unsolved, the shooting death of Marcus Pryor, age 27 who was found shot to death in a room at Knights Inn on March 17, 2008. As is typical, the public plays a large role in the effectiveness of its Law Enforcement and compared to the national averages Michigan City does extremely well in closing homicide cases with arrests thanks to help from the public. Anyone with information of the Marcus Pryor Homicide is asked to contact the Michigan City Police Departments crime tip hotline at 219-873-1488 or any other way they feel comfortable communicating.

Michigan City experienced a double digit reduction in reportable crimes (reportable to the FBI uniform crime reporting system) for the year of 2008. Several social and economic factors influence crime rates for municipalities across the Nation. Including but not limited to ethical, moral, and economic standards accepted by each community.

Historically during times of economic strife crimes can increase, or decrease dependant on the duration and severity of the economic situation, and how the situation is addressed. Higher gas prices reduce travel and reduce the outside influences that can increase incidents of violent and property crimes. Reduction of the work force placed more people at home and in the public which can reduce, or increase the potential of victims for the crimes of burglary, theft, assault, and robbery. A key factor is community involvement.

The Michigan City Police Department has focused on improving the quality of its community focus with involvement in Project Lifesaver, Triad, Neighborhood Association Meetings, Ask a Cop Column, and investigations on a Community Policing-City Team level.

The Michigan City Police Department has also successfully integrated the SARA model of policing and Special Operations Group with anticipation of moving to a COMPSTAT philosophy. This philosophy will use daily assets of equipment and manpower to address critical areas of crime and nuisances throughout the city. Areas will be targeted based on statistical data and input from neighborhood Associations and the Crime Tip Hotline and upcoming new technology designed to create better communications between the public and the Police.

Annual Statistics show that traffic citations are generally down as the Michigan City Police Departments tires to strike a balance between traffic enforcement keeping violators in check and patrol through neighborhood areas as well as business areas. Increases in citations for nuisance issues and City Code violations that affect quality of life are noted. Things like loud music and other city ordinance violations.

Total arrests are down with fewer Adult arrests. However Juvenile arrests increased by 310 over 2007 in response to issues of criminal mischief, nuisance events in neighborhoods, theft, and violent crimes. For 2009 the Michigan City Police Department will focus on juvenile crime with regular curfew sweeps as an effective tool in combating undesirable activity of our youth.

The Narcotics Division showed an increase of cases made, arrests made and raids sponsored by “Community Input to the Drug Tip Hotline”. Unfortunately the availability of Heroine has reached the streets of Michigan City. Heroine was 2nd only to Crack Cocaine in 2008.

Overall I am very pleased with the performance of the Men and Women of the Michigan City Police Department who continue to help the community by protecting yet serving. They have been asked to do more with less and have risen to the challenge.

There is still a great spirit of public cooperation between the community and the police which has allowed us to be as successful as we have been.

The Michigan City Police Department looks forward to the challenges we face in 2009 and are excited with the direction we are heading in the field of technology which make our work more efficient and results in a better law enforcement. We look forward to greater participation from the public utilizing new technology that will be available soon. We see a Michigan City that is becoming a destination for many visitors with large scale events taking place which also brings its own set of problems. We are committed to this community and hope to shine in 2009.

Yours in public service, Chief Ben Neitzel
Click here to read Chief Neitzel's biography.

Chief Mark Swistek is a 17 year veteran of the Police Department and currently oversees the uniform patrol division which is the largest division in the Michigan City Police Department and is the first point of contact with the public. On February 10th 1992 Chief Swistek was appointed as a sworn officer of the Police Department. He is a graduate of the 109th academy class of the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy where he had graduated as a honor student. Upon completion of the academy he has served in the uniform patrol division as a patrolman, Special Operations Group, The Detective Bureau as a investigator/supervisor, and from 1999 through July of 2004 he had served as the Commander of the Narcotics Task Force where as Chief Swistek was a Task Force Officer with the Drug Enforcement Administration(DEA). As Chief of Operations Chief Swistek has asked that all of the uniform patrol officers take on an active role in Community Policing within our community. Weekly Chief Swistek spends numerous hours working various shifts to ensure the community is being served in a manner that actively assist with the needs of every citizen. He is actively involved in the Day to Day Operations of the department and it's essential services.

Chief Kintzele is a 25 year veteran of the Michigan City Police Department graduating from the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy September 1982. He is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps serving from August 1977 through October 1981 separating service as a Communication Chief at the rank of Sergeant with two tours of duty in Okinawa Japan.

Chief Kintzele has served in the Uniformed Division as a Patrol Officer, Patrol Supervisor, Community Policing Officer, SWAT Team Squad Leader, and SCUBA Team member. Assignments to the Investigative Division include Detective, LaPorte County Homicide Team, and Arson Investigation Team. He has also served as the Department Training Coordinator, and Public Relations Officer.

Chief Kintzele is a graduate of Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Leadership and Supervision, and an Associates of Science in Industrial Engineering. He is a graduate of the Southern Police Institute Homicide Investigators course, and has completed extensive training in criminal profiling, and interview / interrogation, defensive tactics, and use of force.

Duties as Chief of Services include overseeing the operations of the Investigative Division, Division of Professional Standards, Records, Information Technology, Civilian employees, and annual operating budget.