COLLEGE FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE NATION : South Bend Chief Supports Officer

Ronald Marciniak, South Bend (Ind.) police chief, said a rookie officer acted properly in arresting Notre Dame quarterback Rick Mirer and linebacker Demetrius DuBose on charges of public intoxication and disorderly conduct.

“After a preliminary review of the circumstances, and the response of our officers, I stand behind the conduct of the officers of the South Bend police department,” Marciniak said in a prepared statement released Wednesday.

He made no mention of police spokesman Lt. Norval Williams, who was criticized in a department memo for allegedly pressuring the arresting officer to release the players.

“Under very difficult circumstances of responding to a complaint from the apartment management and the subsequent dispersal of more than 500 people, my opinion is that our officers acted professionally and properly,” the chief said. “They have my full support.”

St. Joseph County Prosecutor Michael Barnes said no formal charges have been filed. The case remains under investigation.

The police department also said Williams’ actions were under investigation. Williams said that Mirer and DuBose did not appear drunk and he drove the players to the South Bend Tribune offices for interviews after they were freed on $100 bond.

Williams reportedly urged Patrolman Robert Culp, who arrested Mirer, DuBose and a third Notre Dame student, to let them go.

Mirer and DuBose say they did nothing wrong. Mirer said after his arrest that police singled the two out because they were football players, but later said police “did what they had to do” to control the situation. Mirer and DuBose will start Saturday in Notre Dame’s season-opener against Indiana, Coach Lou Holtz said. Both players are scheduled for Oct. 9 court appearances.