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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Officers won’t lose their jobs

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By a 5-2 vote, the Indianapolis Civilian Police Merit Board decided the two Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) officers involved in the killing of Aaron Bailey won’t lose their jobs.

The decision came Thursday after the board listened to three days of testimony. IMPD Chief Bryan Roach recommended terminating officers Michael Dinnsen and Carlton Howard because they violated IMPD policy.

Baily, 45, who fled from a traffic stop, was unarmed when he was shot and killed on June 29, 2017.

Mayor Joe Hogsett released a statement expressing disappointment in the board’s decision.

“Today’s decision by the Civilian Police Merit Board to overturn the recommended termination of two officers is a disappointing and frustrating reminder that even as we continue our efforts to reform our criminal justice system, much work remains to be done.

“I have complete faith in the judgment and the leadership of IMPD Chief Bryan Roach, whose experience over three decades in the police department has more than prepare him to make difficult decisions as it relates to the discipline and termination of officers.

The fact that Chief Roach’s experienced, well-reasoned decision to terminate two officers has been overturned by the votes of five individuals highlights a merit board system that must be changed if we are to continue building bridges of trust between our brave police officers and the communities they proudly serve.

“In the coming days, I will be engaging with community and public safety leaders to assess what should be considered to help restore faith in the police discipline process.

“For our community as a whole, I simply ask that even as today’s decision creates understandable sadness and frustration, it is only through unity, not division, that we can continue to move our city forward. Let us use this moment as an opportunity to come together and resolve that we will honor those affected by this tragedy through a commitment to peaceful change.”

The Indianapolis Civilian Police Merit Board consists of seven members, who are appointed to four-year terms by the City-County Council, Fraternal Order of Police and mayor. Members include David Wantz, Nikki Moore, Joseph Slash, K.P. Singh, Darryl Pierce, Michael Morken and Ronald Covington Sr.

“I am very disappointed in the judgment handed down by the Indianapolis Civilian Police Merit Board that leaves Aaron Bailey’s family searching for justice,” U.S. Rep. André Carson stated in a press release sent on Friday. “No unarmed citizen should die at the hands of the police.

“In light of this and other police shootings across the country, it’s time for Congress to finally act. I have called for greater accountability for officer involved shootings. We need more training to de-escalate situations before they become deadly. And we should provide increased federal funding for community policing, so officers are better prepared to serve communities like ours.

 “My heart breaks for Aaron Bailey’s family and I stand with them as they continue their search for justice for a life taken unnecessarily.”

Aaron Bailey

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