Interim Indianapolis police chief announced alongside other role changes

Indianapolis Metropolitan Police have announced changes to its leadership as the search for a new chief continues.  

Christopher Bailey, currently second in command of the department, will serve as acting chief of the city’s police department beginning 5 p.m. Wednesday. The city said Mayor Joe Hogsett is continuing an internal process to select a new leader after Chief Randal Taylor announced his stepping down last month. In a news release, the city said Bailey has removed himself as a permanent candidate. 

According to the news release, Bailey has been tasked to partner with local criminal justice experts to focus on operational changes to “modernize the department.” Part of that study will include strategies for improving officer recruitment and retention, a lingering problem, and an outside review of officer-involved shootings that have skyrocketed in the past several months.  

Indianapolis' Fraternal Order of Police praised the decision to tap Bailey for the position, saying he has taken assertive steps securing new policing technology for the department and implementing the Crime Gun Intelligence Center to curb gun violence.

"We cannot afford to take any steps back and this move allows our police officers and detectives to continue driving down crime and violence," the police union's statement said. "Most importantly, the community we serve benefits from forward momentum and uninterrupted professional police service.”

Also starting Wednesday is the now-former Chief Taylor’s transition to serve as the department’s Commander of the Victims Services Section, a new role for the city.  

Hogsett in a statement announcing the changes said he intends to name a permanent chief as “expeditiously as possible” while ensuring they align with the city’s goals.  

“After two straight years of double-digit reductions in criminal homicides, it is critical that IMPD’s next Chief of Police is the right leader to carry forward the progress we have made with our holistic, community-based approach to improving public safety,” he said in a statement. “I am grateful to our IMPD officers and command staff who have continued to demonstrate professionalism and commitment to making our neighborhoods safer during this period of transition.” 

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