May 23, 2018
Greetings,
Over the past several days the FOP has worked hard to navigate through the aftermath of the IMPD Merit Board Decision and the resulting public comments/criticism of elected officials. Additionally, the lodge has been overwhelmed by positive feedback, phone calls, letters and cards all of which shared strong support from the public for the police officers involved and for all of our law enforcement community.
Additionally, I have had the opportunity to hear from many members and their families. I am very grateful for your words of encouragement and support.
I have also had the chance to visit several roll calls throughout the City to get the pulse of the run taking/report making street cop and I have heard from many detectives and those in training. I have listened and taken to heart the strong feelings of the rank and file about what transpired in the merit board hearing and how the actions of the Executive Staff and others have shaken the confidence of our local law enforcement family.
Rest assured, the concerns of our membership will be addressed as we move forward.
In the coming days a video message will be forthcoming outlining the status of current events and steps to address the remaining pressing concerns of our collective membership.
In the interim, it is important for our FOP to immediately engage in public discussions on the future of our community and lead in the effort of healing the collective wounds from this overall experience while also restoring the confidence of our police officers.
As a result, the Indianapolis FOP has proactively constructed a solid and positive plan to move forward. This plan based on actions, not words. It is called #ThinkBigger and it has been compiled with the input and support of multiple FOP members, partners in the community and with the help of national leaders including our National FOP, nationally recognized law enforcement instructors and well respected public advocates from around the country.
Please find a related video (click here), which captures the full FOP news conference from Wednesday 5/23/18 of the #ThinkBigger announcement. The elements of the project were vetted and finalized in conjunction with the FOP’s Labor Management Committee and our FOP Executive Board. Both of which voted to UNANIMOUSLY endorse the overall #ThinkBigger initiative.
Stay tune for several very significant and tangible steps that are forthcoming from this plan. Rather than wait for others to act, the Indianapolis Fraternal Order of Police is leading the way and we call upon all those involved and anyone in the community observing from the sidelines to Join Us in this effort.
Fraternally,
Rick Snyder, President
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