Indianapolis police officers will work under a new discipline policy approved by the Civilian Police Merit Board on Feb. 1, capping an effort that started in 2018 to create more flexibility in the discipline process.
The new policy creates a system that’s similar to the current one with categories of misconduct that correspond to certain levels of punishment. Where it differs is now the merit board — which conducts discipline hearings for officers — can take into account how an officer’s conduct affects the community and the police department’s image.
The 38-page handbook lays out six categories of offenses, ranging from A-F, where A is the least serious. Violations come with a certain level of punishment, ranging from 1-7.
A category A infraction (failure to properly maintain and use equipment, for example) could come with anything from a verbal warning to a written reprimand. Repeat violations within six months increase the severity of the punishment.
A category F infraction (lying in court, for example) is left to the chief’s discretion, including termination.
According to the policy, the lowest level of offense is one that “has a minimal negative impact on the operations or professional image of the department.” The highest level of offense is one that goes beyond “normal and acceptable professional practice” and “egregiously violates the public trust.”
Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Chief Randal Taylor said the current discipline matrix isn’t flexible enough because it didn’t take into account different variables that can be relevant to discipline.
“I think this new matrix is a little more fair across the board,” he said. “I think it’ll be accepted by the officers and the public.”
The merit board’s president, Frank Sullivan, said the new policy does a better job accounting for the “difficult nature of the work” IMPD does.
The approved discipline policy still has some technical hurdles to clear before it goes into place, including figuring out where officers on the current matrix will translate to the new one.
The resolution the merit board passed gives IMPD, with the approval of the merit board’s president, a 180-day window to correct typographical errors and make “general, non-substantive” edits that are considered minor. Otherwise, any amendment proposed by IMPD that has to do with the disciplinary process will need approval from a majority of the seven-member merit board.
The board passed the resolution 6-0. Member Joseph Slash was absent.
Adopting a new discipline policy took longer than expected after complaints that IMPD only released a draft of the proposal instead of the whole document. The board extended the public comment period, originally scheduled to end in early December 2021, though engagement remained low.
At the board’s monthly meeting in January, Josh Riddick, an advocate with Faith in Indiana, said the policy seems sound and strong.
“We see this policy shift as a win,” he said.
John Walton, president of the Minority Police Officers Association, said the association was in favor of the policy update, though it still had some concerns about how bias could come through in the discipline process.
“Any time you have flexibility,” he said, “you have subjectivity.”
Contact staff writer Tyler Fenwick at 317-762-7853 or email at tylerf@indyrecorder.com. Follow him on Twitter @Ty_Fenwick.
