Here are 7 things you need to know about the 'Lawless' investigation by IndyStar
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"Lawless," a new IndyStar investigation by reporter Kristine Phillips and visual journalist Mykal McEldowney, pulled back the curtain on decades-old police misconduct in Elkhart and the lingering impact on the department and the city's Black community.
Here are seven things you need to know about the investigation.
Who are the Wolverines?
Wolverines was a nickname taken by a group of young, aggressive, White police officers who worked in Elkhart in the 1980s and 1990s. There was no official roster or membership list, but Phillips and McEldowney identified at least eight former offices — all with histories of misconduct — including one who went on to become the northern Indiana community's police chief.
Some regarded them as the " future of the department," a former police captain said. Another described them as a " gang in blue" that operated like "special ops."
What did the Wolverines do?
The IndyStar investigation revealed they systematically targeted the Black community for harassment and bogus arrests. Former officers said the Wolverines were known for using excessive force — part of a broader culture of brutality that a former police captain said "everybody took pride in." Some espoused racist beliefs and used slurs against people of color.
Were any of the officers identified as Wolverines held accountable?
No. Former officers said the police department's management at that time often turned a blind eye on misconduct. A 1994 report by two outside policing experts found that condoning the bad behavior of a few bad apples has become "ingrained" in the agency's culture.
The agency also faced dozens of lawsuits and even more citizen complaints alleging use of excessive force by officers — including by those identified as part of the Wolverines. But internal affairs investigations into those complaints often cleared officers of wrongdoing. Lawsuits were often settled: Accusers receive small to modest payouts. Allegations go away. Officers face minor, if any, consequences.
Are any of the Wolverines still on the police force?
None of the eight former officers identified as being affiliated with the Wolverines are with the police force at this time.
Why report on this now?
The city is still paying a heavy price for the unchecked behavior of the small band of officers and the broader culture of misconduct they helped create.
Six people have been exonerated in Elkhart, a city of about 53,000 people. The city's liability insurance carriers have so far agreed to pay nearly $27 million to settle allegations that detectives fabricated evidence and used false witnesses to frame people for crimes they did not commit. In at least one of the cases, officers identified as part of the Wolverines were part of the investigation that led to wrongful conviction.
Four more wrongful conviction claims are pending in Elkhart County courts. Three are still in prison.
What do Elkhart officials have to say?
Mayor Rod Roberson, speaking on behalf of the city and police department, said he can't answer for decades-old misconduct allegations against officers no longer on the force. Use of excessive force should not be allowed to happen, he said. Racism and bigotry "were wrong then and are wrong today."
"Misconduct is not tolerated in today's Elkhart Police Department," said Roberson, who became the city's first Black mayor in 2019.
He said officials have worked hard in recent years to build a strong relationship with the community, and to train officers on de-escalation and cultural relations. He added that his administration has held officers accountable for bad behavior.
Why is the Black community still wary of police?
For Black residents, years of abuse and enduring prejudices are hard to forget.
"Those people that this happened to 30 years ago, they had kids and grandkids. Those stories have been passed on throughout the community. Our Black community doesn't trust us," said a current Elkhart police officer who requested anonymity for fear of retaliation from colleagues.
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