Undoubtedly, many challenges remain for our community and the police services needed for the coming years ahead.

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This past weekend, Indianapolis experienced one of the most violent weekends (so far this year). 

Our capital city suffered at least 11 people shot, 5 people stabbed with 5 people killed (FRI-SUN).

That's a person shot or stabbed every 4.5 hours and person killed every 14 hours (on average).

Unfortunately, none of our community partners foresee this violent pace slowing through the summer. 

From Castleton Mall, to Broad Ripple, to the Fountain Square/Garfield Park neighborhoods and to points in between and beyond: people were shot, stabbed, and killed. 

Indy is in Crisis. 

For years now, our police professionals have raised red flags about this surging violence. 

Politicians in Charge shrugged it off. 

Something or someone must change. 

Our city must start holding violent offenders accountable, by first closing the revolving door of criminal justice. 

Residents and Police Officers are stuck in the middle of this violence, yet we do not see our mayor, councilors, prosecutor, judges, or so-called violence interrupters on these scenes. 

Instead we see grieving mothers, families shattered and lives destroyed. 

Where are our Elected and Appointed leaders??

Journalists must begin to consistently ask the tough questions of the City and County Officials on behalf of the people. 

Evil flourishes when good women and men do nothing. 

Indy Can't Wait. 

FOP President Calls on Chief to Cease Police Responses to Mental Health
Calls for Service - Calls on EMS and 'Peacekeepers' to be Used after Police
Officers Indicted

"Yesterday, 4/13/2023, we learned of the public announcement of charges against (2) two IMPD Officers following the death of Herman Whitfield III.

First and foremost, any death is a tragedy and our prayers go out to the Whitfield family.

While this tragic outcome rightly requires diligent review, we do not believe the facts of this incident support criminal charges against the responding officers.

These IMPD Officers were dispatched and sent to this residence following the call for assistance from family members.

The person involved was a large 39-year-old male behaving unpredictably.

The officers proactively requested emergency medical services while the officers attempted to deescalate and secure the situation with trained procedures and an electronic control device so that medical care could safely be provided.

We look forward to learning exactly what information was known to the officers at the time, what information was provided to 911 dispatchers by the caller(s), including what was relayed to officers.

Additionally, we welcome a complete review of what information was provided to the Grand Jury by the Marion County Prosecutor (and just as importantly what information was not provided by the Prosecutor).

Now that charges have been filed, we will defer to the Justice process as relates to the specifics of this matter.

However, given the nature of the lengthy review process and the facts surrounding this outcome, we call upon the IMPD Chief of Police to take the following steps:

* Immediately Order that all calls for assistance with anyone suffering a mental health crisis (including self-harm) be referred to Indianapolis Emergency Medical Services (IEMS) and Fire services (IFD) for an immediate medical response;

* Immediately cease any law enforcement response for mental health runs, mental health disturbances, mental health crisis or mental health delirium unless a known crime or articulated threat of a crime has taken place.

Significantly, none of these changes require a change in funding, but do require a change to response protocols and dispatch procedures.

Upon arrival, Emergency Medical Services can always request assistance once they become aware of a crime that has occurred or are criminally threatened with injury or violence from the patient.

As an additional interim step: any concerns regarding non-peaceful incidents should be directed to the Indianapolis Peacekeepers through the Office of Public Health and Safety.

When any crime or threatened crime occurs toward these Peacekeepers, a call for assistance from Police Personnel should be sought.

Finally, if any law enforcement officers are sent to assist IEMS and/or Peacekeepers on a Mental Health incident, and although officers are trained on approved procedures, a police supervisor should be dispatched and sent to assess the scene and provide any additional direction for officers in real-time.

We believe these proactive steps can mitigate the exposure of potential injuries to any persons involved as well as mitigate criminal and civil liability to officers, the city and the tax payers of Indianapolis.

This will also allow for a community-based approach to the ongoing and surging mental health crisis faced by our capital city.

Again, we call upon the IMPD Chief of Police to take these actions immediately."

 

We are aware of media reports of the IMPD Chief’s statement regarding a Settlement by the City announced 2/10/23.

Our FOP had looked forward to this case going to trial and we were confident that a jury would have concurred that Officer Mercer acted appropriately.

As one media report noted in his published statement: “Chief Randal Taylor also said he believes Officer De’Joure Mercer ‘was lawfully defending himself’ during the fatal encounter.”

Also as noted by the Chief, both the internal investigation and the Grand Jury investigation exonerated Officer Mercer.

Although we are mindful of the city’s need to assess the inherent risks of jury verdicts, some cases just need to go to trial to obtain a judgment that acknowledges the risks to the life of an Officer.

We believe the decision to settle in this particular case sets an impractical precedent for police officers, the IMPD, the City of Indianapolis, and ultimately taxpayers.

No one should profit from threatening the safety of the public and endangering the lives of Officers.

©2023 Indianapolis Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge #86 All Rights Reserved. This video, written message, image, or other material is protected under the laws of the United States and other countries. Unauthorized duplication, distribution, or exhibition without expressed written permission may result in civil liability and criminal prosecution.

Today, 7/20/22, public statements regarding the death of Mr. Herman Whitfield III reportedly indicate that the Marion County Coroner listed the manner of death as "homicide", occurring "in the setting of a law enforcement subdual." 

First and foremost, the outcome of this incident is a tragedy for all involved and we extend condolences to the family of Mr. Whitfield. 

We also recognize the emotional trauma for the officers involved who were called to the scene to intervene and assist during this matter. 

We await a full and fair review of the facts surrounding this evolving investigation based on the facts known by those involved at the time of the incident, including the officers on the scene. 

Meanwhile, it is important to remember a determination of homicide does not mean the actions of the officers were criminal in nature. 

In fact, of the five legal manner of death options available to the coroner, it is often the term chosen to describe a death occurring in a struggle with another. 

To date, there is no allegation of criminal culpability and it's apparent several contributing factors were involved. Yet the outcome remains tragic nonetheless. 

Our professional police officers remain focused on providing service and protection for all in Indianapolis as this matter remains under review.  

4/25/2022

Once again, Indiana’s Capital City experienced one of the most violent weekends to date this calendar year. 

Multiple people were shot, stabbed and killed. These are human lives impacted, not stats to be tabulated.

Indianapolis residents and officers are stuck in the middle of this violence.

Our Indy FOP is greatly troubled by the lack of visibility by any elected or appointed leaders in response to these tragedies. 

Indy’s Mayor, Prosecutor, Council President must legitimately engage on these issues (in real-time). 

Simply talking about root causes means nothing to those in the middle of the violence, those losing their lives and the families that are being destroyed right now. 

Leaders must act and outline their plan to intervene and triage this situation now.

Intervention and Prevention efforts must both happen together in real-time. 

We need Actions Over Words. Victims deserve better…Officers and Detectives risking their lives in the neighborhoods deserve better…Indiana’s Capital City deserves better.

Rick Snyder, President

Indy FOP President Rick Snyder speaking to Hammer and Nigel regarding HB 1004 and other new initiatives to help stem the tide of violence in Indianapolis. 

FOP Calls on Council to Amend Proposal to Fund Immediate Steps to Interrupt Violence

40 days ago, Mayor Hogsett announced a plan to sprinkle millions of dollars into various groups and individuals as part of a Summer Violence 'Reduction' Proposal. 

Our Indy FOP warned back then that many more would be shot, stabbed, and killed while waiting on the Indy Council to act. 

Unfortunately, this has proven true. Since the Proposal: 189 more people have been shot or stabbed with 33 losing their lives. 

That's a person shot or stabbed every 5 hours and a person killed every 30 hours while elected officials sat on their hands. 

This once again shows: 

Delays + Distractions = No Plan

As Indy is in 2/3 of the way through summer, the Mayor's administration has admitted their Summer Spending (if passed tonight) won't take effect until Winter at the end of this year. 

Victims Deserve Better. 

Therefore, we call on the Council to Amend the Proposal and immediately move on the 4 solutions Proposed by Policing Professionals:

1. Purchase and deploy a gunshot detection system;

2. Purchase and deploy movile and static license plate readers; 

3. Staff the arrestee processing center 24 hours a day, particularly during the summer months; 

4. Cease automatic low bonds for repeat convicted folons for all-new Level 6 felonies charged. 

These 4 Actions provide technology to immediately interrupt this Crisis and help close the Revolving Door to Repeat Violent Offenders in Marion County. 

Indy Can't Wait!

With regards to threats against officers, several media outlets have reported on the situation. 

Fox59

WRTV6

WIBC

Law Enforcement Today

©2020 Indianapolis Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge #86 All Rights Reserved. This video, written message, image, or other material is protected under the laws of the United States and other countries. Unauthorized duplication, distribution, or exhibition without expressed written permission may result in civil liability and criminal prosecution.