An investigation by The Indianapolis Star uncovered a rogue police group in Elkhart, Indiana, known as the Wolverines, who operated with impunity for years. This group, characterized by former officers as aggressive and operating like a 'gang,' left a legacy of brutality and distrust among the Black community in the area. Even decades later, the actions of this group have led to a deep-seated skepticism of law enforcement in the predominantly manufacturing community. The investigation brought to light the department's culture, with leaders turning a blind eye to misconduct.
Some regarded the officers young, aggressive and White as the "future of the department," a former Elkhart police captain said. Another described them as a "gang in blue" that operated like "special ops."
Inside the police department, they were known as the Wolverines. An IndyStar investigation found members of the group abused their power for years, cloaking themselves in a code of silence and operating with impunity.
Nowhere is the notoriety of the Wolverines more prevalent than in Elkhart's Black community, where the group's brutal tactics fueled a lingering distrust of police.
Black residents make up about 12% of the manufacturing-heavy city of 53,000 people that sits just south of the Michigan state line.
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