Indianapolis, IN
‘I won’t say I was perfect,’ but former IMPD chief Randal Taylor was ‘Right one for the job’
Outgoing IMPD Chief Taylor remembers hard times, good changes
IMPD Chief Randal Taylor looks at his past four years and onto the future as he gives a final interview the IndyStar.
A red light, a speeding ticket, and a persistent cop.
That’s what former Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Chief Randal Taylor says led him to a career in law enforcement. Taylor, who grew up in Illinois, said he ran a red light in Champagne and was pulled over by an officer who would leave a lasting impact.
“His name was Richard Atkins,” said Taylor, now commander of IMPD’s Victim Services Unit. “He gave me a ticket and everything. At that time, I was working in a White Hen Pantry, and he would come in and just start talking to me and ask me about a career in law enforcement. I reminded him that he gave me a ticket, and he’d be like, ‘Well, did you learn a lesson from it?’”
That one question led Taylor to 38 years in law enforcement, including 32 years in Indianapolis. He served as IMPD chief from 2020 to 2024, leading the department during a global pandemic and civil unrest against police brutality after the killing of George Floyd by Minnesota police officer Derek Chauvin.
He stepped down to make way for the current chief, Christopher Bailey, and has been a commander for the last year. Now Taylor is set to retire on June 16.
‘I made some mistakes:’ A pandemic, protests and police relations
Since stepping down as chief, Taylor’s role within the department included working with the chaplain’s office, Crime Stoppers, victim assistants, and the non-fatal shooting advocates. They’d report to him with the effort of ensuring all victims were resourced with support and help.
“I still wanted to make sure that I was serving people,” Taylor said. “Some communication between family members and detectives isn’t always where you want it to be, so I try to make sure that we do what we can. Sometimes we can’t give them the answers that they want, but we at least make sure they’re aware that we’re here for them.”
When he reflects on his time as chief, Taylor said he always strived to do what’s right and fair for both the community and members of the department.
“I won’t say I was perfect,” Taylor told IndyStar.
Before the world was reacting to George Floyd’s death, Indianapolis was dealing with its own officer-involved shooting that caused community outcry. Dreasjon Reed, 21, was fatally shot by Officer DeJoure Mercer during a foot pursuit in May 2020.
Taylor said, “I made some mistakes” when it came to Reed’s case, which he regrets.
“I was still new to the chief thing, you know,” Taylor said. “People were telling me, ‘You just need to be quiet, don’t talk about it,’ and all this kind of stuff. Well, the problem with that was the public started filling in their own narrative, and they were wrong in that narrative.”
Taylor felt that if he had gotten ahead of the case with facts first, a false narrative surrounding Reed’s shooting wouldn’t have stuck with people’s already mistrust of the police.
“It’s unfortunate that young man lost his life, but one of the things I was glad that I did was encourage the state police to handle that investigation. ‘Cause I, myself, and Deputy Chief (Kendale) Adams were initially in the pursuit.”
And amongst the national outcry on police brutality, Taylor remembers being on Luger Plaza with protesters during protests downtown.
“‘Cause I didn’t like what I saw either,” Taylor said. “I’ve seen a lot of things, good and bad, in law enforcement.”
He said his decision to step down as chief wasn’t a direct result of criticism heard from community members.
“No one forced me out. It’s something I prayed about for a long time, and so it just so happened to fall close to their criticisms,” Taylor said.
Policies implemented during Taylor’s tenure
Like many departments across the United States, IMPD implemented body-worn cameras in 2020, and more than 1,400 body-worn cameras have been distributed and equipped to the department’s officers. In 2020, the department began publicly releasing critical incident videos involving any use of force by officers.
Before beginning to release these videos, Taylor met with a community group that reviewed and provided feedback on the videos and the process for developing them.
The Use of Force Review Board reviews officers’ use of force and then determines whether their actions violated IMPD policies. This begins once prosecutors and police have completed the criminal investigation of an incident. Taylor, with the input from the community, rewrote the Use of Force policy to include provisions guiding officers’ proportionate use of force, the duty to intervene, a requirement to provide medical aid, and strictly prohibiting the use of chokeholds.
He also prohibited the use of no-knock search warrants after Breanna Taylor was shot and killed by Officer Jonathan Mattingly during a raid on her home in Louisville, Kentucky, in March 2020.
Under Taylor’s leadership, IMPD’s Use of Force Board and General Orders Boards were created. The General Orders Board examines police policies and considers possible changes. Both have a majority civilian representation.
Taylor’s thoughts on current IMPD Chief Chris Bailey
Taylor, who worked as assistant chief under two different chiefs before him, said that Bailey was always in the mix.
“You know, Chris and I go way back,” Taylor said. “He’s different from me. I, myself, am more of a people person. Not saying that he’s not, but some people have just said earlier today, they thought I was the right man for the job at that particular time. I’d say the same thing about Bailey now.”
So, what’s next for the former chief?
Taylor said he originally had no desire to climb the ranks to become a chief. He only wanted to be a detective. Taylor and his wife moved to Indianapolis in 1993, and he worked across units, including undercover narcotics, child abuse, internal affairs, and financial crimes.
The Indianapolis Police Department and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office were separate agencies at that time.
He was a sergeant and lieutenant captain before the departments merged in 2007, and from there, he rose through the ranks before the mayor offered him the position of chief.
Unsurprisingly, Taylor said he still wants to serve the community in some capacity, whether with the police department or a sheriff’s office.
The former chief, who turned 60 this year, said outside of policing, he’s into motorcycles. He’s also looking forward to spending more time with his family, including his two sons and daughter.
Jade Jackson is a Public Safety Reporter for the Indianapolis Star. You can email her at Jade.Jackson@IndyStar.com and follow her on X, formerly Twitter @IAMJADEJACKSON.
‘The Odyssey’ Anne Hathaway recalls sleep-deprived moment on set
“The Odyssey” star Anne Hathaway recalls a sleep-deprived moment on the set she blanked on her lines and how Christopher Nolan handled it perfectly.
“The Odyssey” director Christopher Nolan has long been an advocate for IMAX 70mm film, advising movie buffs to get the best viewing experience possible in special IMAX theaters.
Very few locations around the world are capable of projecting the film, however, with just 25 U.S. theaters airing Nolan’s newest movie in the special format.
Luckily, Indianapolis is among the locations where fans can see “The Odyssey” in 70mm at one IMAX location.
What is ‘The Odyssey’ about?
Based on Homer’s epic poem, the three-hour saga (in theaters July 17) follows Greek king Odysseus (Matt Damon) on his 10-year journey back to Ithaca to reunite with his wife, Penelope (Anne Hathaway), and son, Telemachus (Tom Holland). Throughout his journey Odysseus faces off against sirens, giants and sea gods.
What is a 70mm film projection?
70mm film projection is a wide high-resolution film gauge for motion picture photography, according to Indiewire. It is a process of projecting movies onto a big screen using a film print that is 70mm wide, which is about twice the size of regular 35mm film.
Nolan’s “The Odyssey” is the first major studio movie to ever be filmed completely with IMAX cameras, as they are notoriously costly, loud and bulky to operate, according to USA TODAY.
Why does Christopher Nolan prefer 70 mm film projection?
Nolan previously told the Associated Press he is a longtime fan of the filming method, creating other films like “Dunkirk” and “Tenet” with the large format film stock as well.
He explained that viewers are getting the feeling of 3D without the glasses, adding that the sharpness and clarity of the cameras immerse them in the world of the film.
“You rarely get the chance to really talk to moviegoers directly about why you love a particular format and why if they can find an IMAX screen to see the film on that’s great,” Nolan said. “We put a lot of effort into shooting the film in a way that we can get it out on these large format screens. It really is just a great way of giving people an experience that they can’t possibly get in the home.”
Where can you see ‘The Odyssey’ on 70mm film in Indiana?
Moviegoers can see “The Odyssey” in 15 perf/70mm film in the IMAX Theatre at the Indiana State Museum. As of Wednesday, July 15, some showings for opening weekend already were sold out.
Where are all 25 IMAX 70mm theaters showing ‘The Odyssey?’
Here’s where to see it in IMAX:
- Harkins Arizona Mills 25 & IMAX – Tempe, Arizona
- Regal LA Live & IMAX – Los Angeles, CA
- AMC Metreon 16 & IMAX – San Francisco, California
- Universal Cinema AMC at CityWalk Hollywood & IMAX – Universal City, California
- TCL Chinese Theater IMAX – Hollywood, California
- Regal Edwards Ontario Palace & IMAX – Ontario, Canada
- Regal Irvine Spectrum 21 + IMAX – Irvine, California
- Esquire IMAX – Sacramento, California
- Regal Hacienda Crossings & IMAX – Dublin, California
- Cinemark Carefree Circle & IMAX – Colorado Springs, Colorado
- Regal Colorado Center 9 & IMAX – Denver, Colorado
- AutoNation IMAX, Museum of Discovery & Science – Fort Lauderdale
- Regal Mall of Georgia & IMAX – Buford, Georgia
- Cinemark Seven Bridges & IMAX – Woodridge, Illinois
- IMAX Theatre at Indiana State Museum – Indianapolis, Indiana
- Celebration! Cinema Grand Rapids North & IMAX – Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Brenden Palms 14 & IMAX – Las Vegas, Nevada
- AMC Lincoln Square 13 & IMAX – New York, New York
- Cinemark Tinseltown Rochester & IMAX – Rochester, New York
- Regal UA King of Prussia & IMAX – King of Prussia, Pennsylvania
- Apple Cinemas Providence Place & IMAX – Providence, Rhode Island
- IMAX at the Tennessee Aquarium – Chattanooga, Tennessee
- Regal Opry Mills & IMAX – Nashville, Tennessee
- AMC Rivercenter 11 & IMAX – San Antonio, Texas
- Cinemark Dallas & IMAX – Dallas, Texas
CONTRIBUTING: Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY
Indianapolis, IN
NFL Trade Rumor: Indianapolis Colts and Tampa Bay Buccaneers emerge as top landing spots for $4M Cleveland Browns’ QB
The Cleveland Browns’ rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders has found his name regularly among trade speculations as the team reportedly received calls from rivals about him. Though the Cleveland Browns are seemingly not looking to trade him soon, the Indianapolis Colts and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have emerged as potential landing spots.
Which teams are interested in Shedeur Sanders?
Over the last three weeks, as ESPN insiders confirmed that the Cleveland Browns have been speaking to team about Shedeur Sanders, the New York Jets, the Indianapolis Colts and the Tampa Bay Buccanners have been linked to him.
What are insiders saying about the rumors?
Recently, NFL insider Michael Moraitis of the Big Lead noted in a recent report, “The Cardinals figured to go into the 2026 season with Jacoby Brissett as their starter, but the veteran is holding out and now his future is uncertain. General manager Monti Ossenfort is on the hot seat and cannot afford to turn the ball over to Gardner Minshew, and there’s no telling when Carson Beck will be ready. Sanders is no sure thing, but he at least offers the upside Minshew doesn’t, and the starting experience Beck doesn’t have.” NFL insider Michael Moraitis of the Big Lead added, “The Bucs and Baker Mayfield are in a contract standoff, and while the veteran is not going to hold out, he will be a free agent in 2027 if nothing changes. If Mayfield isn’t re-signed, the Bucs would be in the market for a new starting quarterback without any semblance of a potential long-term solution on the roster behind Mayfield.”
Contract details and salary cap implications
The rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders is currently on a 4-year, $4.647 million rookie contract with the team.For the team that trades for him, Shedeur Sanders would have a $1.005 million base salary in 2026.As per reports, trading Shedeur Sanders would instantly clear $781,310 in immediate 2026 cap space for the Cleveland Browns as the team takes a $335,535 dead cap hit from his accelerated signing bonus.
How will the trade affect the teams?
For the Indianapolis Colts, trading for Shedeur Sanders remains very affordable as he could be a $1.005 million insurance policy to push or backup Anthony Richardson.For the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, trading for Shedeur Sanders makes him a low cost backup quarterback ready to become the starter if Baker Mayfield leaves.
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department says a shooting investigation was underway after a 16-year-old boy was found shot on Indy’s north side Wednesday morning.
Online police reports show the call for a person shot came in in the 900 block of East 64th Street around 7:23 a.m. That’s in the Meridian-Kessler area, just west of the Monon Trail.
When officers arrived, they found the teen suffering a gunshot wound.
IMPD says he was taken to a hospital in stable condition. Officials also noted the teen has been “uncooperative” with investigators at the scene.
It was unclear if there were any suspects or what may have led up to the shooting.
This is a developing story.
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