Report Focuses On Equity In Indianapolis Police Reform

A new report takes a deeper look at police reform in Indianapolis with recommendations to build more equity and address systemic racism faced by Black residents.

The Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee, GIPC, commissioned the report this past summer as protests for social justice and police reform filled the streets. The paper offers recommendations and action items on how to support equity based changes within the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.

Cummins Inc. Assistant General Counsel John Gaidoo, one of the lead authors of the report, said the analysis supports increased accountability and transparency.  He said recent moves to create General Orders and Use of Force boards are important.

“Those are all things that I think majority civilian membership on some of these boards can help us with,” Gaidoo said.

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Other key findings in better policing policy include improved training, force diversity and better access to records and investigations.  

“As the community we need information. We need to be able to understand and assess as to whether we’re being policed in a way that is acceptable,” Gaidoo said.

The report offers action items for GIPC and community stakeholders.

“And the reason that it is written the way it is. In a very active voice, because we hope that people will do something,” Gaidoo said. “Let’s work together and do something.”

It also recommends mirroring effective practices -- including no harm and de-escalation tactics -- used in other cities.