'Time for me to pass the reins': Indianapolis police chief announces he's stepping down

Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Chief Randal Taylor will end his time as the city's police chief at the end of the year.

"I've been in this job for 36 years, 30 here in Indianapolis, and four as your chief. And it has truly been an honor to serve you as a community," Taylor said in a video posted to the department's YouTube channel.

In the video, Taylor elaborated the decision to leave his post of nearly four years has been on his mind for a while and was further confirmed during talks with Mayor Joe Hogsett.

Read full textof IMPD Chief Randal Taylor's announcement about stepping down

"This decision was not made lightly. I have prayed about this and truly believe now is the right time for me to pass the reins to someone else," he said.

Taylor was tapped to become chief in December of 2019, replacing Bryan Roach. He helmed the department during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, turbulent social justice protests downtown and the city's record-breaking year for homicides in 2021.

In a statement, Mayor Joe Hogsett credited Taylor for the now-declining rate of homicides and gun violence and praised his push for transparency.

"Chief Randal Taylor is a trailblazer, and his nearly 30 years of service to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department is a testament to his character, commitment to public service, and drive to make Indianapolis a safer city," Hogsett stated.

During his term, Taylor implemented the body camera program for officers when Indianapolis was one of the few major cities that did not have them. He further oversaw the creation of the civilian-majority Use of Force and General Orders Boards, which examine policies and review use-of-force incidents.

Following calls for reform, the police department under Taylor revamped its use-of-force guidelines that saw major changes including requiring officers to intervene when they see wrongdoing by a peer and banning chokeholds. Such efforts were under threat of being thwarted due to a state law passed last year requiring police departments across Indiana to come up with a uniform deadly force policy, one of which relaxed the use of when chokeholds were allowed.

The past several months of Taylor's tenure have been marked by calls from community groups for his resignation following a spree of police shootings, particularly against people with mental illness. He did not say on Friday whether these calls influenced his decision. So far this year, police have shot 19 people in separate cases, prompting the department to look for an outside consultant to examine what is happening.

Related:Clergy call for resignation of Indianapolis Police Chief Randal Taylor

Taylor said he intends to stay with the department, with the hope of working with victim families. He said his phasing out likely will occur by the end of the month or the start of next year.

The police department has not announced plans for an interim chief. A spokeswoman for Hogsett said his office will provide details later on about when the mayor intends to appoint and have a new chief in place. 

As news about his resignation spread, members of the community responded.

More:Mayor Hogsett, Indy10 BLM, others react to IMPD chief leaving top job

Rev. Charles Harrison, president of the anti-violence organization the Ten Point Coalition, thanked Taylor for his service and offered his congratulations.

"You are a very good man and I wish you well and may God's blessings be upon you and your family," he said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Indy10 BLM, on the other hand, welcomed the news.

"Chief Taylor is resigning, happy holidays yall!!!" The group said on social media.

Taylor got his start in law enforcement more than three decades ago in Champaign, Illinois. He served in various roles within Indianapolis' police department since, becoming assistant chief in 2017 before Hogsett appointed him to take over the department.

Contact reporter Sarah Nelson at 317-503-7514 or sarah.nelson@indystar.com