South Bend Police promote first woman to lieutenant in patrol division and multiple others

SOUTH BEND — The South Bend Police Department made history with the promotion of Maranda Baker to the rank of lieutenant at Wednesday’s meeting of the Board of Public Safety.

Baker, previously a sergeant, is now the first woman to serve as a lieutenant in the department’s patrol division and will command the sergeants on the shift and all the patrol officers.

Baker was one of several officers who received promotions Wednesday.

Capt. Tomar Thomas was promoted to captain of the patrol division, replacing Capt. Joseph Leszczynski, who took over as patrol division chief when Chief Eric Crittendon retired to take over as security chief with the South Bend Community School Corp.

Kyle Drury joined Baker in being promoted to lieutenant.

Officers Andrew Hines, Randy Goering, Anthony Dawson and Tyler Donlon were promoted to sergeant.

The board also approved promotions to patrolman 1st class for Nicholaus Baab, Dakota Cremeans, Devonte Spratt, Brock Staton, Nathan Stoll and Michael Dube.

Sheldon Scott’s application and declaration for retirement also was approved, as were letter of resignation from Lance Balsley, Dakota Brink and Larry Harris.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Multiple officers promoted by South Bend Police Department