MESSAGE FROM MARION COUNTY PROSECUTOR ON IMPD OFFICER SHORTAGE
Posted On: Apr 08, 2014
Message from the Prosecutor
Incidents of high profile crime in recent months have sparked important community discussions at every level, from neighborhood meetings to the City-County Council. While admittedly not the only source of such recent crime, the understaffing of Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department has certainly stifled our ability to effectively respond. A world class city deserves a police force that is equipped to be proactive, not simply reactive to crime. And our residents deserve the sense of security that comes from police visibility and accessibility, knowing that officers are nearby and available to prevent and promptly respond to public safety problems.
In the Prosecutor’s Office, our job is likewise affected by inadequate staffing of IMPD. There is a direct correlation between understaffing, investigations, and the quality of cases our deputy prosecutors are called upon to prosecute.
A commission has been established by the City-County Council to determine the appropriate and necessary number of IMPD officers, to make recommendations regarding a policing model, and to review long-term funding options for public safety staffing. The commission is expected to make its final report in the coming weeks, and its work and meetings are open to the public. I encourage you to weigh in on the discussion.
The decision to adequately fund and staff our police force affects every individual living and working in our county, and I hope that you will weigh in with your concerns and suggested solutions.