Indianapolis City-County Councilor William Oliver was the latest Friday to protest a merit board’s decision not to fire the two IMPD officers who shot and killed Aaron Bailey last year.
The officers say Bailey, who was in his car, ignored calls to cooperate and was seen digging in his center console. They argue this movement was reasonably perceived as a man retrieving his gun. But no gun was later found.
Oliver told reporters he thinks the officers reacted in fear and failed to follow their training.
Sitting in a vehicle outside his home, Oliver mimed reaching for a cell phone and registration.
"I fear they’ll tell me to reach over and get my registration, like this. I fear if I touch something, my cell phone or any object," Oliver said. "I fear their fears will cost me my life.”
The merit board decision to retain the officers came May 10, months after Chief Bryan Roach’s recommendation that they be fired.
Council members from both parties Thursday announced a series of upcoming community meetings to discuss police-community relations.
