Indianapolis, Indiana - May/June '07
One of the largest state capitals in the United States and the 12th largest city in the country, Indianapolis is located in Marion County in the center of Indiana. Founded in 1821, the city was designed by Alexander Ralston, an apprentice to Pierre L'Enfant who planned Washington D.C. Ralston's original plan called for a city of only one square mile, today's North, South, East, and West Streets. These streets formed what is today's Mile Square. In 1970, the UNIGOV plan merged the City and most of Marion County, thus incorporating many previously suburban areas. Indianapolis is also known as the "Crossroads of America" since it is the hub for several major Interstate highways that crisscross the state.

Merger of Departments After Nearly 185 Years Apart
The Marion County Sheriff's Department was established in 1822. The Indianapolis Police Department was formed in September 1854, when Mayor James McCready appointed 14 men to the first police force, under the command of Captain Jefferson Springsteen. On January 1, 2007, General Ordinance 110 led to the consolidation of the Indianapolis Police Department with the law enforcement division of the Marion County Sheriff's Department. Responsibility for the now over 1600 sworn member police department fell to the sheriff who appointed a chief of police, under whose direction the department operates. According to Deputy Chief James Reno, who oversees the administration division of the department, 8 to 10 police departments nationally have merged in a similar manner. He believes the merger helps with providing better service to the citizens because it offers "the best from both worlds," as well as results in an "equalization of benefits and improvement." He is especially proud of the dedication and professionalism of the officers. "They are creative and innovative professionals who regularly seek training and improvement," he emphasizes.

Creative Programs Serve Community Well
Numerous programs are being used by the newly merged departments to improve the community. Sheriff Frank Anderson created the Stop and Think Program to provide Marion County youth in grades 6-9 with the opportunity to have lunch and spend the day with the sheriff and his staff. The program offers an unforgettable glimpse of the jail, teaches about choices and consequences, and provides a positive experience with law enforcement. The Walk with the IMPD program provides weekly opportunities in the summer for community members to walk with a police officer. This program helps create valuable relationships between the officer and the community they serve. Several programs for at-risk youth are also provided. These include the Police Athletic League (PAL), Gang Resistance Education and Awareness Training (GREAT), and Our Kids (OK).

The department also is involved with some international projects. These include the Badges Without Borders Program, an Indianapolis-based not-for-profit group that provides language training to police and fire departments that come across language barriers due to the rapidly growing Hispanic population in Indiana.

Another international program is the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics. Its goal is to increase awareness and raise funds for Special Olympics programs. Last year, $22 million was raised internationally; $350,000 came from Indiana.

Comprehensive Training Prepares Officers
Departmental training is an important part of the development of every new recruit. IMPD plans to hire approximately 50 officers twice a year. The department recently graduated 50 recruits as part of its first class since the merger. All recruit officers attend the IMPD Training Academy when hired and participate in 46 weeks of training (nearly a year) before they are set free on their own. This includes 26 weeks at the academy and 20 weeks riding with an officer. Additional specialized training includes Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) where officers are provided methods to recognize and deal with individuals with mental illness. Annual firearms training consists of 8-hour training sessions held twice annually on the use of a handgun, rifle, shotgun, as well as tasers, batons and other non-lethal weapons. The department hires twice a year, averaging around 50 recruits each time.

Wellness is Not Overlooked
Deputy Chief Reno also believes in the value of a departmental wellness program. A non-punitive, voluntary program has been in place for many years for both of the newly-merged departments. He believes the program is extremely important for the officers and the agency. "The healthier you are, the better you can serve the agency, " he remarks. "Anything that helps reinforce what an individual already knows they should be doing can lead to better follow-through." The program includes discounted memberships to numerous area fitness centers and a reduction on their health insurance costs. Deputy Chief Reno and Lieutenant Anthony Gatto have helped communicate and promote the program to their personnel.

Click here for the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department newsletter article.

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© 2007 Public Safety Medical Services