After merging the Indianapolis Police Department and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office to become IMPD in 2007, nearly 20 years later, Chief Chris Bailey said he doesn’t think the department created an identity with the merge. One of his goals is to have a clear vision and wants officers and community members alike to help.

He and other department leaders are asking for input from the community via a short, anonymous survey for a strategic plan for the future. The department has already reached out to its rank-and-file to get their thoughts.

“I want to speak directly to our officers. I’ve heard you say you feel unheard by your leadership,” Bailey said during a press conference Thursday. “This is your opportunity to speak up and have a voice. Your experience, ideas and frontline perspectives are essential to shaping the department’s future.”

Bailey said the department tried a strategic plan in 2019, but COVID impeded those objectives, and the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis Police changed the focus of the department with racial reform.

This strategic plan will serve as a guiding document for the next five years, helping IMPD remain adaptable and responsive to the evolving needs of the community and its officers, the department announced.

Officers, professional staff, and community input are essential 

Sworn officers and professional staff will have multiple opportunities to contribute their ideas and perspectives on enhancing the department, according to a news release on the plan.

The anonymous surveyfor residents focused on getting feedback on what they want from their police department in the coming years. The survey can be found online at indy.gov/activity/impd-strategic-plan.

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Collaborating with Taylor Advising on the process

To keep the approach neutral, the department has partnered with Taylor Advising, a local woman-owned business that specializes in expert consulting services with equity at the forefront. Taylor Advising will facilitate conversations with officers, professional staff, major stakeholders and community members to gather input.

As an objective voice, Taylor Advising will assist in compiling key insights to develop a plan that reflects the community, officers and professional staff, the department said. 

IMPD’s 5-year strategic plan

According to the department, this plan will establish a “clear vision, set meaningful goals, and create a roadmap that strengthens both public safety services and internal operations while addressing the needs of officers, professional staff, and the Indianapolis community.”

In the coming months, Taylor Advising said it will host public listening sessions, and we will share details once they are confirmed.

A timeline of this strategic plan

The anticipated timeline for the strategic plan development is as follows:

• April 2025: Taylor Advising to begin department and community input collection.
• June 2025: All input collection will close.
• November 2025: A first draft of the strategic plan will be made available for public review and comment.
• January 2026: IMPD will announce and implement the final strategic plan.

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.