• The state is considering a program to train some National Guard members in local policing.
• National Guard members typically do not make arrests or conduct local law enforcement, but Indiana law carves out some exceptions.
• A state Democrat says he filed legislation to restrict guardsmen’s policing power in response to Republicans who want to strengthen it.

The Indiana National Guard wants to enhance some guardsmen’s role as police officers during times of civil unrest, as debates about the military’s role in policing play out nationwide amid President Trump’s deployment of federal forces in Democrat-led cities.

National Guard spokeswoman Lauren Houck confirmed the state is pushing a program that would offer Indiana law enforcement training to military police so those federal troops can “add value,” rather than merely add bodies, when working alongside local police during situations like the 2020 riots. Military police typically enforce federal laws on National Guard property, but governors can call guardsmen out to support local law enforcement and first responders during emergencies.

The Indiana National Guard approached Gov. Mike Braun’s office to make the request for the change. Houck would not say whether this training will give guardsmen broader authority to act as police in Indiana, enforcing local laws and making arrests, or if National Guard leadership just wants its troops to be better prepared for emergencies.

The news come days after IndyStar reported that Statehouse insiders are researching legislation that could grant more policing power to guardsmen in local jurisdictions. While some Republicans push for an expanded role for the National Guard, at least one Democratic lawmaker wary of military intervention in policing has filed legislation to restrict its power.

The new program would ultimately need to be approved by the Indiana Law Enforcement Training Board, the body that creates training requirement for all Indiana police officers. The state’s basic training for new police officers requires more than 600 hours of coursework in criminal and traffic law, emergency vehicle operations, human behavior and de-escalation. It’s unclear how quickly the proposed program would train military police.

“These preliminary discussions have been about creating a fair and efficient process, while ensuring proper certifications and training are in place,” Houck said in a statement.

Houck said the new training has been discussed for months, but the need for it stems from the 2020 protests and riots that swept through Indiana cities after the police killing of George Floyd. At the time, Gov. Eric Holcomb stationed National Guard to defend state property, but their role in actively policing protesters was limited.

Braun said in a statement he supports the new training program because “law enforcement deserves every tool and partner they need to keep Hoosiers safe.”

Braun has so far declined to use the National Guard to intervene in local policing, even after violence in downtown Indianapolis this summer prompted calls by Republicans and the local police union for the state to step in.

But this week the governor showed his willingness to help the Trump administration by agreeing to deploy about 300 National Guard troops to Washington D.C. next month, after the president declared a public emergency over crime in the nation’s capital in August.

Meanwhile, Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita earlier this month called for Trump to deploy National Guard troops to address crime in Indianapolis.

What Indiana law says about the National Guard

Trump’s National Guard deployments in cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago and Portland have been stalled by lawsuits and court rulings, igniting a debate over whether the president is violating federal law that generally bars military troops from doing civilian law enforcement.

Indiana law gives the governor broad authority to call out guardsmen, who are part-time, ad-hoc military members, in extreme situations such as war, invasion, natural disaster and rioting. National Guard troops do not typically enforce local laws or make arrests but rather conduct patrols and provide logistical support to keep the peace.

During a state emergency, however, Indiana law does grant guardsmen some authority to disperse participants in an “unlawful assembly” and arrest those who refuse. Another portion allows guardsmen to arrest someone who knowingly or intentionally enters a street that the National Guard has closed off.

Even when a governor declares an emergency, local officials can challenge their deployment to cities. A Tennessee judge on Nov. 17 temporarily blocked the Republican governor’s deployment of the National Guard in Memphis, ruling that crime rates in the southern city were not a “grave emergency” or “disaster” warranting an emergency response.

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett has rejected the idea of National Guard intervention in local law enforcement. The mayor noted that criminal homicides and non-fatal shootings in Indianapolis have fallen by roughly 50% after they soared to record highs in 2021, according to IMPD data.

Democrat files legislation to restrict National Guard power

While some state Republicans seek to broaden the National Guard’s power, a state Democrat who works in law enforcement has filed legislation to restrict guardsmen’s ability to enforce laws and make arrests.

State Rep. Mitch Gore, D-Indianapolis, filed House Bill 1015 Nov. 18 to prevent the governor from ordering any National Guard member “to perform any law enforcement duty that may result in the surveillance, apprehension, detention, or arrest of an individual” without formally declaring a state of emergency for one of three situations: “a natural disaster, a riot, or an act of terrorism.”

A captain at the Marion County Sheriff’s Office in his day job, Gore told IndyStar he sees a need for the bill because some Republican state lawmakers have asked his opinion on allowing National Guard troops to function as police officers.

A third Republican senator from Indiana has been targeted in a swatting incident the morning of Nov. 20 as pressure on redistricting holdouts continues to mount.

Sen. Spencer Deery, R-West Lafayette, was notified around 8 a.m. that someone had falsely reported domestic abuse at his address and threatened violence to officers who responded. Deery is opposed to mid-decade redistricting. 

“It is disturbing that anyone would attempt to harm or intimidate lawmakers, but sadly not all that surprising in the current environment,” he said in a news release. “When our family decided to enter the public arena four years ago, we knew our lives would change, but we believed then – and still believe today – that it is important for people who are committed to representing the people with integrity and an attitude of public service to step up. We will continue to do our duty and to do what is in the best interest of our district, no matter the threats.”

The night before the incident, someone had delivered an unpaid pizza to Deery’s home. While not as serious as swatting, Deery said in the release, the tactic conveying “we know where you live” should always be condemned.

The Indiana State Police is investigating multiple incidents of swatting against lawmakers, it announced Nov. 20, and will seek criminal prosecution for those responsible.

“The Indiana State Police warn that not only is this potentially dangerous to all involved, but it is also against the law,” the law enforcement agency said in a statement. “While the motives for this type of activity may vary, we are working diligently with local, county and federal law enforcement partners to identify those responsible for these reckless, careless and illegal activities.”

Two other senators victims of swatting

The incident against Deery follows a string of other swatting attacks.

Sen. Dan Dernulc, R-Highland, was also a victim of swatting, he announced Nov. 19.

“It is scary and shocking to me that someone would go so far to try to cause harm or fear to me or my family,” Dernulc said. “I have always done my best to serve my community, be their voice, and work alongside them and my colleagues at the Statehouse to help make Indiana a great state. It is sad because of these efforts and work that I am villainized in some minds to the point of harmful retaliation.”

Days earlier, Sen. Greg Goode, R-Terre Haute, was also swatted. The incident occurred hours after President Donald Trump mentioned Goode in a critical Truth Social post.

“While this entire incident is unfortunate and reflective of the volatile nature of our current political climate, I give thanks to God that my family and I are ok,” Goode said over the weekend in a statement.

While neither lawmaker has issued a public stance on redistricting, both voted to reconvene in January instead of December for redistricting.

The swatting incidents follow a decision by Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray, R-Martinsville, to not take up the issue of redistricting. Bray’s announcement that the Senate doesn’t have the votes has brought fury from Trump and other redistricting proponents, including Gov. Mike Braun, who see Indiana as critical to maintain control of Congress.

Trump has called anti-redistricting senators “RINOs,” or “Republicans In Name Only,” and promised to primary those who don’t reverse course. His pressure on Braun to get the job done has also appeared to raise the stakes: the governor said Nov. 18 he would try to “compel” the Senate to meet.

Contact breaking politics reporter Marissa Meador at mmeador@gannett.com or follow her on X @marissa_meador.