DOJ steps in to review shootings involving Indianapolis police at Chief Bailey's request
INDIANAPOLIS — The U.S. Department of Justice has been brought in by the Indianapolis police department to examine the increase of shootings involving the city's officers last year, which reached a level not seen since 2016.
In an announcement Tuesday, the Department of Justice's office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) and the National Policing Institute will conduct an independent review and data analysis of records, policies and practices regarding the police shootings to "assist the Department as they work to make them more reflective of accepted state and national best and emerging practices."
“It takes a real commitment to transparency to engage in these types of reviews,” Acting Associate Attorney General Benjamin Mizer said in a prepared statement. “This is a significant step for the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department in their efforts to ensure effective community policing, and we know both the Department and the community will benefit.”
The request for the review, made by the city and Indianapolis' police Chief Christopher Bailey, fulfills a pledge made last year by the police agency. Leaders last year announced their intent to bring in an independent party in hopes of providing a much-anticipated answer to what was driving the spike in shootings.
In a joint video address, Mayor Joe Hogsett and Chief Bailey on Tuesday acknowledged the "troubling increase" in such shootings and said the review will ensure transparency in the department.
In 2023, police were involved in 17 shootings that killed or injured someone. The increase prompted backlash from community members, with one group, the Concerned Clergy of Indianapolis, going as far as to call for the resignation of former police chief Randal Taylor.
The Black Church Coalition, an organization that's previously called for the DOJ to examine use-of-force involving the city's police, commended the announcement in a prepared statement on Tuesday.
"We’re extremely proud that the community's demands have been met ... Indianapolis residents deserve a police department that holds itself accountable and makes the necessary adjustments to keep everyone safe. This initiative will hopefully ensure this,” said Lakyah Berry of the coalition.
Bailey stated the review will include interviews with community members, police officers, city stakeholders in the study's aim to identify "patterns or factors that may provide insight into last year's uptick in officer shootings."
"This study is not about the individual actions of officers involved in these instances," Bailey said, noting the department has already has policies in place for those investigations. "I believe the final report will offer insights on how to make our department stronger and safer for both our officers and our community."
More: Every time Indianapolis police shot a person in 2023
How long the study will take to complete has not been announced, but Hogsett in the address said it will "take time."
Contact reporter Sarah Nelson at sarah.nelson@indystar.com
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: DOJ steps in to investigate shootings involving Indianapolis police
