Commission To Study Police Staffing Needs

A bipartisan study commission will meet next week for the first time to discuss staffing issues with Indianapolis Police.

The 11-member group includes city county councilors, public safety officials and community members.

Chair Mary Moriarty Adams says the commission’s work is particularly important after such a violent year.

"I do believe though that there is an indirect correlation and I do believe that if you have a sufficient number of officers then you have the opportunity to place more officers in those areas where you have the most murders being committed," she said.

The Fraternal Order of Police has said the city is as many as 700 officers short.

Moriarty Adams says one of the objectives is to get a more detailed assessment on the exact number.

"It could be that we are at 1,540 (officers) now we need to be at 1,740.  And so, therefore that would be an additional 200 officers," she said.  "I'm not saying that is what the commission will decide.  What I'm saying is the commission will review where we are, and then determine where we need to be."

The city council agreed to create the study group last year.  It will meet six times through March with the first meeting on Jan. 23.