Civilian Police Merit Board

An Indianapolis police officer who was captured on video punching a high school student was sentenced Monday to 363 days probation for official misconduct.

The Indianapolis Police Merit Board met Tuesday night to get community input on proposed changes to how police are disciplined. However, only two community members gave comments.

The Indianapolis Police Merit Board will hold a public hearing Tuesday to gather input on proposed changes to the police discipline process.

The Police Merit Board attracted attention last year when it voted against firing two police officers involved in the fatal shooting of an unarmed man.

Council President Vop Osili said in a statement sent shortly before the meeting that the proposal is only a template, meant to start a conversation in the legislature.

The officers say Bailey was seen digging in his car's center console, which they perceived as an imminent threat. Skeptics of their story suspect their decision to fire was driven by irrational fear.

Ahead of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department decision, faith leaders held a vigil to pray Indianapolis will not become what they call another failure of justice.

The board voted 5-2 Thursday evening on multiple counts in favor of Officers Michal Dinnsen and Carlton Howard in the June 2017 shooting of 45-year-old Aaron Bailey.

IMPD Police Chief Bryan Roach recommends the officers be fired. Members of the Police Merit Board will make the final decision.

Chief Bryan Roach says the officers' actions were "so far removed from accepted professional practice" that they damaged public trust of the department.