“Today our collective organization learned from the public announcement of the Mayor of Indianapolis, the President of the City County Council and the Chief of IMPD of their decision to move forward with a complete implementation of a Body Worn Camera program for the IMPD.
We are grateful for such action given that our collective FOP membership called for such an investment (475) days ago on January 23, 2019.
It is disappointing that such an announcement takes place suddenly in the midst of 2 use of force incidents while they are still being examined.
The timing and use of words such as “police reforms” inappropriately conflate recent events with decisions to now implement something our Officers and Residents have been awaiting for at least 2 years.
Today, via the media, our Officers also learned of the creation of a Use of Force review board inclusive of civilian participation on police tactics trained by the police department. While we look forward to receiving further specifics, we are not opposed to civilian review. In fact, civilian oversight exists already in multiple venues including the Civilian Police Merit Board which already oversees the actions of Officers, hiring, promotions, terminations, discipline, other personnel matters and policy practices of the agency.
Yet what is of equal importance with today’s announcements are the very real and documented threats of violence and actual violence that has been made toward law enforcement officers and their families.
Our elected and appointed leaders have had multiple days to speak to this issue and they have chosen to remain silent.
Their lack of condemnation of such activities provides tacit approval of enhanced dangers for their employees under their supervision and to whom they have federal, state and local responsibilities for their safety.
The silence of our leaders regarding violence toward those required to enforce the laws of our society has sent a clear and convincing message to our police officers and their families.”
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