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IMPD on the verge of changing discipline policy, still accepting public comment

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A committee tasked with handling issues related to hiring, firing and disciplining Indianapolis police officers will continue to take public comment on proposed changes to Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department’s disciplinary process until early January.

The deadline for public comment, originally Dec. 6, was extended following low engagement and complaints that IMPD had only released a draft of the proposal instead of the whole document.

Even at the Civilian Police Merit Board monthly meeting Dec. 7, where the public was again invited to comment, only one person spoke. It was Joe O’Connell, who’s part of the Police Department Merit Board in Carmel. He said he was there to learn and see if there’s anything the Carmel board might find useful.

The Civilian Police Merit Board will take written public comment until noon Jan. 3. The board plans to vote on the proposal during its meeting Jan. 4. Submit feedback to IMPD_Planning@indy.gov.

What’s in the proposal?

The proposal, released after the December meeting, is 38 pages. The system it would create is similar to the current one with categories of misconduct corresponding to certain levels of punishment.

Where the proposed system differs is it would allow the board to consider how an officer’s conduct affects the community and the police department’s image.

The lowest level of offense, category A, includes conduct that “has a minimal negative impact on the operations or professional image of the department.” The highest level, category F, includes felonies and offenses that go beyond “normal and acceptable professional practice” and “egregiously violates the public trust.”

A minor violation — being disrespectful to other employees, for example — could come with anything from a verbal warning to a written reprimand. In the case of the most serious violations — an officer using his or her badge to avoid consequences for an illegal act, for example — the chief would decide punishment, which could include termination.

Repeat violations within a certain timeframe would increase the severity of the punishment.

Frank Sullivan, the board’s president and former Indiana Supreme Court justice, said the current system is too rigid. The proposed framework would give the board more flexibility.

How does the board work?

The Civilian Police Merit Board is made up of seven members: four appointed by the mayor, one appointed by the city-county council and two elected by officers. No current police officers can serve on the board, though three current members are retired officers.

The board meets at 12:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of the month.

Members spend most of their time considering hiring and promotion recommendations from the chief, but their most visible task is deciding whether to uphold or deny punishment for officers.

When the chief wants to punish an officer, the officer can appeal. That’s when the board conducts hearings and chooses to agree with the chief, reverse the chief’s recommendation or reduce the punishment.

The board is not allowed to punish officers on its own.

Contact staff writer Tyler Fenwick at 317-762-7853 or tylerf@indyrecorder.com. Follow him on Twitter @Ty_Fenwick.

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