Mayor Joe Hogsett announced that Christopher Bailey is being appointed as the new chief of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) on Monday, Feb. 12.
Bailey served as assistant chief of police for the last four years, working closely with Chief Randal Taylor and community leaders to reform some of the department’s most critical policies.
This includes use of force, body-worn cameras and vehicle pursuit policies. He also helped establish a civilian-majority Use of Force Review Board and General Orders Board for the first time in the department’s history.
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“When it comes to the safety and security of Indianapolis, few have spent as many waking hours dedicated to our city as Chris,” said Hogsett.
“Now, after helping achieve two years of the steepest declines in criminal violence in department history, Chief Bailey kicks off a new era at IMPD – one that builds off this recent momentum while preparing for the future of public safety in our community.”
New IMPD chief of police
Bailey has embraced new public safety technology, from gun-shot detection and public safety cameras to the impactful implementation of the department’s first body-worn camera program in 2020 and the creation of the Critical Incident Video Release program.
He has served as the interim chief of police, following Chief Randal Taylor’s exit in December.
Bailey expressed his gratitude to Hogsett for the honor of being named IMPD’s new chief and to the city for trusting him to lead the department.
He said two IMPD officers, Catherine Cummings and Michael Wolley, were appointed as the department’s new assistant chiefs. They will help execute the department’s decisions and forward-thinking vision.
A native of the west side of Indianapolis, Bailey began his career in 1999 as a patrol officer before rising through the ranks as a general detective, sergeant and supervisor of the FBI Safe Street Gang Task Force.
He was promoted to lieutenant in 2011 and served as commander of the Public Information Office before leading the Criminal Gang Unit.
In 2014, Bailey was appointed as major of the Criminal Investigations Division. He was appointed as commander of the North District in 2015, where he established a faith-based advisory council and focused on enhancing police-community relationships through innovative strategies like the creation of a mountain bike skills course.
Bailey was appointed commander of the Homeland Security Bureau in 2017 before transitioning to the role of deputy chief of criminal investigations later that year.