Grand Jury Indicts 2 IMPD Officers Accused Of Using Excessive Force During Protest Arrests

Two Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers have been indicted following the arrests of two women during the downtown protests on May 31. 

A grand jury returned the indictments for two of four officers who are accused of using excessive force while arresting Ivore Westfield and Rachel Harding, who were out past curfew. The incident caught on tape showed the officers hitting Westfield, firing pepper balls and shoving Harding to the ground.

Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears said Officer Johnathan Horlock and Officer Nathanial Schauwecker both face charges of battery and criminal confinement. In addition Horlock faces a perjury charge.

The women have filed a separate federal lawsuit against the officers.

IMPD Chief Randal Taylor said the officers will remain on administrative duty while an internal investigation continues.

“It is my intention to address our administrative review of the officer conduct at the conclusion of the ongoing criminal prosecution,” Taylor said.