Mayor Joe Hogsett made history on Jan. 27 with the appointment of 27-year Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) veteran Tanya Terry as the city’s new Chief of Police, the first woman to lead the force.
Terry, who has served as Deputy Chief of Operations for the past two years, assumes command following the swearing-in ceremony scheduled for Feb. 2. The internal promotion, Hogsett said, is designed to maintain momentum on the city’s recent public safety gains.
“When it comes to the safety and security of Indianapolis, few have spent as many waking hours dedicated to our city as Tanya,” Hogsett said. “Crime is down across the board. Criminal homicides are at an eight-year low. And Tanya’s leadership… has played a monumental role in delivering these public safety improvements.”
The appointment comes as the city reports sustained reductions in violent crime. According to the Mayor’s Office, Indianapolis has seen a 44% combined reduction in criminal homicides and non-fatal shootings since the implementation of Hogsett’s Gun Violence Reduction Strategy in 2022. This trend has continued into early 2026.
Terry has been a prominent figure in that strategy. As Deputy Chief of Operations, she directly oversaw patrol officers, investigations and significant incident responses, emphasizing data-driven policing and community engagement.
Her career with the department spans nearly three decades. It includes roles at almost every level, from neighborhood resource officer to district commander. This breadth of experience, Hogsett noted, provides her with intimate operational knowledge of the department’s daily functions and community relationships.
Among her signature initiatives is the Juvenile Diversion Program, which she first piloted in the Southwest District in 2021. As Deputy Chief, she expanded the program citywide. It redirects young people from arrest and involvement with the juvenile justice system, instead connecting them with resources through partners like the Boys and Girls Club of Indianapolis.
“With Chief Terry leading our IMPD officers, I am confident Indianapolis will continue making progress in shaping safer neighborhoods,” Hogsett said.
Upon taking office, Terry will oversee the implementation of IMPD’s first-ever comprehensive strategic plan, a document developed with input from both officers and community members. The plan focuses on public safety outcomes, employee wellness, recruitment, retention and departmental operations.
“Chief Terry steps into this role at a pivotal moment,” a statement from the Mayor’s office read. “Her historic appointment aligns with a period of documented progress and a clear strategic path forward for IMPD.”
Announcements of further appointments to the department’s executive staff are expected following Terry’s swearing-in ceremony the week of Feb. 2.
Contact Multimedia Reporter Noral Parham at 317-762-7846. Follow him on X @3Noral. For more news, click here.
Noral Parham is the multi-media & senior sports reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder, one of the oldest Black publications in the country. Prior to joining the Recorder, Parham served as the community advocate of the MLK Center in Indianapolis and senior copywriter for an e-commerce and marketing firm in Denver.
 veteran Tanya Terry as the city's new Chief of Police, the first woman to lead the force.){kind=link}