Latest news with #IMPD
Indianapolis Star
20 hours ago
- Indianapolis Star
Court docs: Man arrested for police impersonation said he works for disgraced constable
On June 8, an officer with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department noticed something unusual on his early morning patrol: a nightclub on the city's west side appeared open at nearly 5 a.m. on a Sunday morning, a violation of the state's liquor law. An unmarked patrol car was already on the scene, blocking traffic from the road, its red and blue lights flashing. The IMPD officer stopped to talk to the driver. He found a man wearing a tactical vest with the word "police" on the front. The man didn't have a police belt, though he did have a holstered handgun and a metal, star-shaped badge reading "Deputy Constable Marion County." The IMPD officer asked the man what department he was with. "Marion County," the man responded, according to court documents, removing his vest and putting it in his Dodge Charger. Though there is a Marion County Sheriff's Office, there is no Marion County Police Department. That Charger, the IMPD officer noted, wasn't registered to any police department or city government. It was instead registered as the man's personal vehicle. The IMPD officer handcuffed the man and confiscated his gun, which was loaded with 14 rounds. He again asked for the name of his police department. The man said that he was working for a private security company, but couldn't provide its name. He then said that he was with the "Constable's Office" and that his boss was Denise Hatch. He "then stated that he had not been paid by the office in several months," according to court documents. That's perhaps because Hatch, the former Center Township constable, was removed from office in October 2024 after pleading guilty to felony official misconduct. It was one of several criminal charges levied against her after police investigations led to serious legal issues for both the elected official and three of her employees. Constables are elected officials in each of Indianapolis' nine township governments. They serve summons, warrants and eviction notices. They are not law enforcement officers, but have limited power to make arrests and carry out small claims courts' orders. A search of the man's vehicle turned up handcuffs, a flashlight and a radio. He told police he'd never been asked to return his badge or identification to the constable's office, and didn't know that he was supposed to. He was arrested for impersonation of a law enforcement officer. His car was returned after red and blue lights were collected as evidence, police wrote. The current Center Township Constable, Kenneth Allen, told investigators that he doesn't know the man. He also said that when he took office in November 2024, he ordered the return of all badges, identification cards license plates associated with the constable's office. Investigators wrote that because the man wore a vest that said "police," carried a firearm, displayed a badge and blocked traffic, "a reasonable person would believe that (the man) is a law enforcement officer engaged in official duties." Records from the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy showed that while the man completed a program allowing him to work for a "special enforcement agency," he is not a certified police officer. Academy records showed that he worked for two different organizations in 2022 and 2023, but it's unclear if he ever worked for the embattled former constable. Editor's note: IndyStar uses discretion in naming people accused of crimes, considering the severity of charges and available information, among other factors. Suspects may not be named if ongoing reporting of the associated court proceedings is not immediately planned
Axios
4 days ago
- Axios
IMPD's Randal Taylor ready to investigate retirement
Monday is IMPD Commander Randal Taylor's last day at work. The big picture: Taylor has protected and served the Circle City for more than three decades, including a recent stint leading the department through four of its most difficult and transformative years as chief. Flashback: Taylor took over as IMPD's top cop in 2020, just in time to navigate his officers through a global pandemic; the police shooting of Dreasjon Reed, a 21-year-old Black man whose death sparked a summer of protests; and a 2021 mass shooting at a FedEx facility that still weighs heavily. After stepping down as chief at the start of 2024, Taylor became commander of IMPD's Victims Assistance Unit. He's interested in continuing to help victims' families get the resources they need as a member of the department's professional staff. What's next: Taylor, 60, said even in retirement, he has no plans to stop trying to make Indianapolis a better place for everyone who calls it home. Ahead of his final shift, Taylor sat down with Axios to reflect on the ups and downs of his 38-year law enforcement career and share why he believes the future of the department is bright. This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity. 🚔 Nearly 40 years of police work, 32 spent in Indianapolis. How are you feeling as you prepare to do something different? "I feel like it's time, and I'm feeling good about it. No regrets or anything right now. I still want to work in some capacity, but I have no problem with putting this law enforcement chapter to rest." 🤔 What time period as an Indianapolis police officer stands out the most? " When I got started [as chief] I came right into COVID, and that was difficult not just for this department, but obviously all across the country. But then we had the Dreasjon Reed case that was extremely tough. And of course, FedEx. "FedEx impacted me most personally, because I was out there with those families for such a long period of time," he said. "I had a hard time shaking that and had to really think about how those kinds of things impact you mentally during the long haul. I had not dealt with that before." 📈 From the creation of a use of force review board to the implementation of a departmentwide bodycam program, you made big changes to IMPD's operational structure. How are you feeling about the department's trajectory under the leadership of Chris Bailey? " Chris has been there by my side for a while, so I've seen him operate and had no issue when he took over the chief spot. Knew he would continue to progress. "And Chief Bailey has also done some great work on improving the mental health aspect for officers, which I think is certainly going in the right direction." 👮♂️ With an ongoing officer shortage, recruitment is a major priority. Do you have any words of wisdom to leave for the next generation of local law enforcement? "Don't be afraid to be a people person. You've got to ask questions and get to know people, and that's always been a plus. And there's no particular pattern for someone to follow to be a police officer." 🙏 What do you want Indianapolis residents to remember about you and your time with the department? "I just hope that they know that I care about them. I care about you. I care about our officers. Hopefully you thought I was fair. "It's been a great career. I don't regret any of it."
Indianapolis Star
6 days ago
- Indianapolis Star
IMPD responds after video of arrest in downtown Indy sparks criticisms
Multiple videos circulating on social media June 15 depict an Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officer shooting a man with a high-pressure air launcher before tackling him to the ground in downtown Indianapolis. The videos caused some in the community to question whether the IMPD officer used excessive force and if the department would hold the officer accountable, leading IMPD to release a statement saying the incident would undergo a "thorough administrative review." "It's important to note that the videos currently circulating capture only a portion of the incident and what was occurring in the area at the time," the department's statement read. "We are continuing to gather information about what led up to and followed the events depicted in the video clips." A video shared on social media starts by showing a Black man attempting to walk away from an IMPD officer, while asking the officer "why are you walking up with that," pointing to a weapon in the officer's hands. The officer can then be seen putting his hand on the man's chest and slightly pushing the man back. The man then slaps the officer's hand, after which the officer shoots him three times with a TIB90 Pepper Ball launcher from Sabre Red — a projectile weapon that law enforcement describe as nonlethal. "Are you serious? What am I doing," the man says after being shot, according to the video. The officer can then be seen grabbing the man as he tries to tackle him to the ground. At one point, the officer yells at the man to "get on the ground," before pushing him to the ground. That's when three other IMPD officers can be seen getting on top of the man as they try to detain him. While the man is on the ground, another officer can be seen punching him multiple times, before he goes motionless for a few seconds as police attempt to place handcuffs on him. In the video, a bystander can be heard yelling, "What is they doing. They're beating the f--- out of him." Police then sit the man up before taking him away, according to the video. Shortly after 4 p.m. June 15, IMPD released a statement about the videos, acknowledging the department had seen them and offering preliminary details of what officers say took place. Shortly after bars in downtown Indianapolis closed for the night, officers in IMPD's event response group were working to manage a large crowd that had formed after two men started to fight one another, shortly before 3:30 a.m., according to the statement. Officers intervened and separated the two men after giving verbal orders, police said. One of the men then attempted to walk away from the altercation, while the other remained. That's when the man seen in the video allegedly "squared his shoulders" towards an officer, according to police. This prompted the officer to stick out his hand to create some distance from the man before the man slapped his hand away, the statement read. The officer then fired three shots at the man, as depicted in the video. The department said the officer threw the man to the ground because he believed the man was attempting to flee, and another officer punched the man three times in order to "gain control" of the situation. IMPD has not released the names of the officers involved. The man was preliminarily charged with disorderly conduct, battery of a public safety official, resisting law enforcement and possession of marijuana, according to police. Police later determined the man was armed, and officers recovered a weapon on the ground after he was taken into custody. The department noted the incident will go through the administrative review process to determine if the office's use of force was reasonable.
Axios
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Axios
2025 NBA Finals: Law enforcement locks in for Game 3
As the Pacers prepare for another NBA Finals faceoff with the Thunder, local law enforcement and first responders have drawn up a Game 3 game plan of their own. Why it matters: A coordinated emergency response effort backed by a beefed-up police presence aims to keep the tens of thousands of basketball fans slated to hit the Circle City safe Wednesday night. Emotions between dueling fanbases can run hot. What they're saying:"We have plenty of practice at managing large crowds and major events, and the fun that follows. This experience with the NBA Finals is going to be no different," said IMPD chief Chris Bailey. "Our neighborhoods will be protected. No one in our city will go without police protection despite the festivities going on in downtown Indianapolis." Zoom in: Expect to see more police on foot, in squad cars, on horses and using drones throughout the city. There'll also be undercover officers. Other Central Indiana law enforcement agencies, the Indiana State Police and federal partners are also providing support. Between the lines: Security inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse will look similar to other Pacers and Fever games at the venue, and the existing bag policy will be adhered to, said Pacers Sports & Entertainment CEO Mel Raines. Yes, but: Starting four hours before home game tip-offs, fans will need to show their tickets to gain access to the different parts of Gainbridge, including the Morris Bicentennial Plaza public space outside the arena. Fans will still be able to access the Pacers store via Pennsylvania Street as late as two hours before tip-off. Fun fact: The Pacers will host watch parties in the plaza during Games 3 and 4 for a limited number of fans, Raines said, and plans are in place to host a Game 5 watch party inside Gainbridge. Plaza watch party ticket information is still pending, but Raines said those events should be able to accommodate 1,000-1,500 fans. To keep hoops fans in the loop, the Marion County Emergency Management Agency will roll out a mass text service for the NBA Finals, director Jacob Spence said. What's next: Game 3 tips off at 8:30pm Wednesday on ABC, or you can listen on 93.5/107.5 The Fan.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
At least 1,000 protest ICE outside Pacers-Thunder finals game in Indianapolis
At least 1,000 ICE protesters met basketball fans headed to Wednesday evening's NBA final game three between the Pacers and Thunder at Indianapolis' Gainbridge Fieldhouse. "The most dangerous immigrants arrived in 1492," said one sign held by a protester. Other signs said "ICE out of Indy now" and "Power to the workers not the billionaires." Under President Donald Trump, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have stepped up raids seizing and removing people in the United States illegally. Wednesday's Indianapolis protest is just the latest to spring up since protests began in Los Angeles. About 20 Indianapolis Metropolitan Police officers were monitoring the protest, which was organized by the Indy Liberation Center. The members of IMPD's emergency response group, specially trained in crowd control, had pepper ball guns. Protesters began by lining up in front of businesses across Pennsylvania Avenue from Gainbridge. They chanted phrases including, 'IMPD, KKK, IOF, it's all the same!' Some fans passing protesters responded with chants of "USA." About 8 p.m. — a half hour before tipoff — the growing group protesting ICE filled Pennsylvania Avenue, marching north. This story will update. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: At least 1,000 protest ICE at Pacers-Thunder NBA final in Indianapolis
