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Indianapolis police chief: Immigration sweeps ‘not our role’

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Indianapolis police chief: Immigration sweeps ‘not our role’


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Days after President Donald Trump started enacting his plans for mass deportation, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department issued a statement noting the department has no intention of participating in immigration sweeps.

Indianapolis Police Chief Chris Bailey said the department does not have the authority to enforce federal immigration laws and reaffirmed its standard practice of not inquiring about a person’s immigration status during routine investigations.

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“We are firmly committed to fostering positive police-community partnerships and ensuring the safety and well-being of everyone who lives, works, and visits our city, Bailey said in the statement. “It is important to emphasize: if you are in Indianapolis and are a victim of a crime or need assistance, we are here to help – regardless of your immigration status.”

President Trump has long promised a crackdown on immigration. In his first few days back in office, he’s declared a state of emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border, attempted to end birthright citizenship and suspended refugee resettlement. 

Trump has also promised mass deportation raids. As the chief noted in his statement, local police departments can’t enforce federal immigration laws on their own unless they have a specific agreement with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Raids logistically require the cooperation of local police and IMPD is one of several cities that’s issued a statement saying they won’t take part in immigration sweeps. Chicago and Las Vegas departments said the same earlier this week. 

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Trump’s acting deputy attorney general Emil Bove sent out a memo earlier this week warning that prosecutors will investigate state and local authorities that don’t cooperate with immigration enforcement, Reuters reported. 

Similar efforts are happening in the Indiana legislature.

Senate Bill 172 would make it possible to charge a law enforcement officer with a misdemeanor if they refuse to cooperate with state or federal agencies enforcing immigration law. It would also create a misdemeanor against people who create policies preventing police from cooperating in immigration law enforcement. That bill was authored by Sen. Michael Young, R-Indianapolis.

Rep. Garrett Bascom, who represents Dearborn County, introduced House Bill 1393, which would force law enforcement officers to share information with ICE after arresting someone “suspected of not being lawfully present in the United States.”

(This article will update)

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Silver Alert declared for 16-year-old boy missing from Indianapolis

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Silver Alert declared for 16-year-old boy missing from Indianapolis


INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department is investigating the disappearance of Robert Williams Jr., a 16-year-old Black male who is 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighs 185 pounds, has black hair with brown eyes, and was last seen wearing a gray coat, blue sweat pants, and black tennis shoes.

Williams Jr. is missing from Indianapolis, and was last seen on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025. He is believed to be in extreme danger and may require medical assistance. 

Investigators ask that anyone with information on Williams Jr. contact the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department at 317-327-6541 or 911.

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The City of Indianapolis’ “Indy Peace Fellowship” 2025 review

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The City of Indianapolis’ “Indy Peace Fellowship” 2025 review


INDIANAPOLIS — The Indy Peace Fellowship is an initiative from the city, providing solutions to reduce gun violence in our city.

WRTV spoke with Dane Nutty, President & CEO of the Indy Public Safety Foundation, about its efforts in 2025 and continued targets ahead for 2026.

“A lot of times, you have an idea of what the community wants, you have an idea of what people need, and so, we certainly have a significant engagement with the community daily,” Nutty said.

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The City of Indianapolis’ “Indy Peace Fellowship” 2025 review

Finding solutions to gun violence has been one of the city’s biggest hurdles.

“This year that we’re looking at annual data, we’re over 20% reduction in criminal homicides and nearly 30% reduction in non-fatal shootings, but again, I think it’s a testament to the investments that have been made over the last three to five years and really lifting not only targeted intervention but also community voices in violence intervention,” Nutty said.

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Nutty said that the relationships built with the community, IMPD and organizations throughout the years helped foster greater results in 2025.

“I think after the first couple of years, you know, when you launch a really huge new strategy, it takes a little time to kind of cement those partnerships and ensure that we’re being most effective and intentional with our work, and we’ve really seen that come into play this year,” Nutty said.

Looking ahead to 2026, Nutty said his team will continue to review data daily to help cultivate the best outcome.

“We might have an incident in the community that results in either the potential for retaliation or, you know, some additional trauma that that neighborhood or that community has incurred,” Nutty said.

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Indy Peace Fellowship

Every year, Indy Peace Fellowship’s goal is to reduce homicides by 10%.

“As of today, we’re down over 20% in criminal homicides year to date, so we’re certainly, again. We’re happy that we met that goal. That doesn’t mean that the work has completed, right? That we can just say, ‘Hey, we’ve done it all, we’ve fixed the problem.’ There’s a lot of work to move forward,” Nutty said.

Nutty added that they are seeing nearly a 30% reduction year-over-year in non-fatal shootings. Further proving that community outreach and targeted impact are working.





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IMPD officer charged with operating vehicle while intoxicated after showing up to work smelling of alcohol

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IMPD officer charged with operating vehicle while intoxicated after showing up to work smelling of alcohol


INDIANAPOLIS — An officer with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department has been charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OVWI).

According to a news release from IMPD, Bryan Gibson, an officer with the department, arrived at the department’s southeast district in his personal vehicle on the evening of Dec. 10 for a scheduled administrative duty shift.

When Gibson arrived, the department alleges that Gibson smelled like alcohol. After an investigation from the department’s OVWI unit, the special investigations unit and internal affairs, the release said that Gibson was determined to be under the influence of alcohol.

On Dec. 11, IMPD Chief Chris Bailey suspended Gibson without pay and recommended his termination to the department’s civilian police merit board.

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The release said that at the time of the incident, Gibson was assigned to administrative duty. Officials said that Gibson did not have police powers while under administrative investigation for an unrelated personnel matter.

On Wednesday, the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office officially filed charges against Gibson for:

  • Operating a vehicle while intoxicated
  • Operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher.

Gibson’s initial hearing is scheduled for Jan. 20, 2026, the release said.



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