Indianapolis, IN

Cutting back: IMPD eliminates 100 positions, pushes retention, recruitment

Published

2 years ago

April 24, 2024

Cutting back: IMPD eliminates 100 positions, pushes retention, recruitment

INDIANAPOLIS — Federal funding meant to hire more officers in Indianapolis’ police department has been repurposed to keep the ones they have after the vacant positions went unfulfilled for three years.

Initially earmarked for 100 new officer jobs, the money has been steered toward providing retention bonuses for Indianapolis Metropolitan police after staffing goals fell short and the funding for the appointments expires at the end of this year.

“We shifted those funds because it became clear that we were struggling to get people into the door,” said Asst. Chief Catherine Cummings, who was chosen for her role in February. “I can’t say it any more simply or more directly than that.”

While the change is not a major upheaval in strategy for the police agency, as the city has made multiple attempts to plug the drain of officers leaving the department, the shift in money reflects the continuing challenges Indianapolis police face in beefing up the ranks.

Currently, the police department is 266 people short of the 1,743 officers allowed in its local budget, a gap that’s become typical in the past few years.

An opportunity to increase the number of officers came three years ago in the form of an unprecedented amount of money through the American Rescue Plan Act. The city routed the dollars in 2021 toward its three-year public safety plan, part of which boosted the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department’s staffing capabilities by another 100 jobs, totaling 1,843 positions.

Context: Here’s how Indianapolis will spend $419M in federal relief money

Indianapolis officials lauded the historic sum of federal money as a critical part of addressing the city’s public safety issues, specifically, record-breaking homicides.

Now, that staffing goal is being scaled back, with the department resorting to its initial target of 1,743 officer jobs — an objective that hasn’t been reached in at least the past 17 years, according to police data, even when the agency reported its highest number of officers in 2020.

The city has tried to combat the shortage for years by continuously boosting the department’s budget and officer salaries, including Mayor Joe Hogsett bumping first-year officer base pay last year to $72,000.

But Indianapolis’ police department, and agencies across the country, are facing a “historic” hiring and retention crisis in the “wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, a tightening labor market, heightened community frustration with the policing profession, and concerns about officer safety and well-being,” according to a report published last year by the U.S. Department of Justice.

“We are working very hard to overcome that,” Cummings said. “Everyone is struggling to hire, which is why we have to get more creative about our messaging.”

‘More proactive’ recruiting

To bring in new faces, the police department has recently embarked on a “more proactive” approach to recruiting.

Patrol officers at each of the police department’s six districts will host open houses for residents to learn more about joining the ranks.

Prospective applicants can talk with officers directly to learn more about the job, sign up for a ride-along and meet members of the agency’s various units, including the K9 Unit, Indiana Crime Guns Task Force, bomb squad, detectives and more.

Using patrol officers to recruit is the latest move to come out of the department to fill its staffing gaps, a duty that’s historically fallen to top brass. The initiative stemmed from conversations among members of the Southeast District, which includes the neighborhoods of Fountain Square, Twin Aire and Christian Park. The district’s first recruiting event took place in late March.

“Our upper administration (wanted) to bring the community closer, so why not have it in the heart of the community at roll call where (people) can come in here and talk to any veteran officer they want?” Officer Douglas Lepsky said.

To learn more about becoming an Indianapolis officer, visit indy.gov/activity/become-a-police-officer-with-impd. Possible applicants interested in joining but not ready to make the jump, learn more by visiting JoinIMPD.Indy.Gov.

Contact reporter Sarah Nelson at sarah.nelson@indystar.com

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Indianapolis, IN

Kitchen fire forces evacuation at Indianapolis’ Sullivan’s Steakhouse

Published

12 hours ago

May 10, 2026

Press Room

Kitchen fire forces evacuation at Indianapolis’ Sullivan’s Steakhouse

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — 45 employees and guests were forced to evacuate Sullivan’s Steakhouse on East 86th Street late Saturday night, which is right next to The Fashion Mall at Keystone.

According to a social media post from the Indianapolis Fire Department, just after 10 p.m., a fire broke out inside the kitchen exhaust hood system and spread to the roof.

(Photo Provided by the Indianapolis Fire Department via X)

Multiple 911 callers reported flames on the roof and the fire was marked as working while IFD crews were en route.

Firefighters say the aggressive fire was under control in 26 minutes.

Thankfully, no was one injured.

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Indianapolis, IN

Man fatally shot near 10th Street, Shadeland Avenue on Mother’s Day

Published

24 hours ago

May 10, 2026

Press Room

Man fatally shot near 10th Street, Shadeland Avenue on Mother’s Day

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A man is dead, and a suspect has been detained following a shooting on Indy’s far east side.

The shooting took place around midnight Sunday near the intersection of East 10th Street and Shadeland Avenue.

Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers arrived at the scene and found a man with multiple gunshot wounds. Medics rushed him to a hospital, where he later died.

Investigators say they believe it started as an altercation in the parking lot of a business before the shooting happened.

The suspect stayed on the scene and was later detained. IMPD says they located a gun in the suspect’s car.

IMPD Capt. John Arvin told media at the scene, “It’s Mother’s Day. Here’s the tragedy. A mother is going to get a knock on the door this morning that her son is dead. For the rest of her life, every Mother’s Day, she’s going to remember that’s the day my son died.

“That just makes this a senseless tragedy. We have no idea what the fight was over, what led to the shooting, but whatever it was, does it lead to someone’s mother knowing for the rest of her life my son died on mothers day. That’s just tragedy.”

Police say many of the surrounding businesses have security cameras, and they will contact them today to review the footage as part of the investigation.

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Indianapolis, IN

Indianapolis Race Results: May 9, 2026 (INDYCAR) – Racing News

Published

1 day ago

May 9, 2026

Press Room

IndyCar race results from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

IndyCar Series drivers are on the grid in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course is set to host a day of open wheel racing.

View Indianapolis race results for the IndyCar Series below.

Alex Palou and Pato O’Ward set the front row. 85 laps laps of stock car racing are up next…

Race Report

Green flag, Alex Palou is clear out of turn one. Pato O’Ward is turned! Scott Dixon and others are collected. The caution is out.

Penalty: Felix Rosenqvist will serve a drive thru penalty for contact in turn one.

Green, Palou leads Malukas and Kirkwood into turn one.

Lap 7, Kirkwood dives inside of Malukas into turn one. Kirkwood takes 2nd away.

Lap 21, Alexander Rossi is stalled and the caution is out. Multiple pit strategies are now in play.

Palou heads for the pit lane. Power is handed the lead as Palou restarts 19th.

Green, Power leads Malukas and Lundgaard. Felix Rosenqvist jumps over the top of Kyffin Simpson, caution.

Power pits from the lead with others. Malukas is handed the lead.

Green, Malukas leads Lunagaard into turn one.

Lap 48, Malukas and others head for the pit lane. Lundgaard pits the following lap. Malukas cycles out ahead. Malukas is saving fuel.

Lap 52, Power leads Malukas by 8 seconds.

Lap 63, Alex Palou pits for the final time from 5th.

20 to go, Lundgaard and many of the leaders dive for the pit lane. A lap later, Malukas heads for the pit lane.

Malukas cycles out ahead of Lundgaard. Lundgaard trails by 1.3 seconds.

18 to go, Lundgaard is all over the gearbox of the leader! Malukas blocks the inside into turn one. He misses a shift and Lundgaard pulls on the outside. They fight for space into turn four, Lundgaard to the lead!

8 to go, Lundgaard leads Malukas by 3 seconds. He’s driving away.