Indianapolis, IN
IMPD says detective arrived at crime scene smelling like alcohol
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A city detective was arrested after being accused of driving away from the scene of an investigation while intoxicated, according to a news release from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.
Detective Caitlin Harris, an eight-year veteran of the Child Abuse Unit, faces preliminary charges of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated and operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated endangering a person, both misdemeanors.
Harris was acting as the on-call detective on March 22, 2026. Colleagues who summoned her to help with an investigation into a child’s injuries that evening noticed she smelled like alcohol and contacted a supervisor, the news release stated.
A sergeant immediately responded, the department said, but by then Harris had finished her investigation and left the scene.
The sergeant asked Harris to pull her vehicle over, but she instead drove home, where she was met by a lieutenant who also believed she’d been drinking, the department said.
Harris was taken to a hospital for a blood draw. Detectives from IMPD’s Internal Affairs, Special Investigations and OVWI units were all present, the department said, and Harris was “determined to be under the influence of alcohol.”
IndyStar was unable to reach Harris and court records were not available at time of publication.
Chief Tanya Terry placed Harris on paid administrative leave and stripped her of police powers later that day.
The investigation that Harris initially responded to has been reassigned to another detective, according to the department.
Once an internal affairs investigation is complete, IMPD will decide whether to review Harris’ recent cases.
Harris was one of two detectives subject to a Citizens’ Police Complaint Board case last summer after a woman said the investigators assumed her children were unresponsive due to an opiate overdose rather than a heat-related illness. The children had been left alone in a car for several hours while their mother worked at a temp agency, but charges were never filed. IMPD’s Internal Affairs office did not find the officers at fault for their handling of the case.
Harris is the third IMPD officer charged with a crime so far in March. Officer Anthony Mauk faces allegations of hunting deer without a license in Steuben County, and Officer Taylor Jones was arrested on an allegation of battery after an altercation at an Indianapolis gym.
Ryan Murphy is the communities reporter for IndyStar. She can be reached at rhmurphy@indystar.com.
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Thunderstorms could move in over Central Indiana this afternoon and evening as Indianapolis celebrates the Fourth of July, dampening fireworks shows.
The National Weather Service forecasts that scattered showers and thunderstorms could hit the Indianapolis area before 8 p.m. today, with showers likely and another thunderstorm possible between 8 and 9 p.m. – right before many area fireworks shows are scheduled to begin. The rainy skies aren’t likely to clear until after midnight, and the chance of precipitation today is around 60%.
The storms will move eastward as a low-pressure system in Illinois begins to collide with the hot, moist air mass enveloping Indiana, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Jason Puma. Areas north of Indianapolis are more likely to see thunder and showers on the evening of July 4, while southern Indiana may dodge the storms, Puma said.
Organizers of the largest fireworks shows near Indianapolis haven’t announced any cancellations yet.
“Fourth Fest will be going ahead as scheduled,” Faith Thompson, a spokesperson for the Downtown Indy Alliance, which organizes the fireworks show downtown, wrote in an email. Updates will be posted on the Downtown Indy Alliance’s social media accounts.
Heat and humidity could impact festivities during the rest of the day. With a forecast high of 88 F and a heat index that could rise to 95 degrees in the late afternoon, Indianapolis remains under a National Weather Service heat advisory until 9 p.m. Tomorrow’s forecast is slightly cooler with scattered showers possible.
Though temperatures have cooled slightly after last week’s scorching heat wave, Puma said the health effects of hot weather can build up over time.
If you start to feel overheated, Puma recommends drinking plenty of fluids and moving indoors. If you’re planning to participate in outdoor activities, stay out of the sun during the hottest parts of the day, he said.
Tilly Robinson is a Pulliam fellow for the Indianapolis Star. She can be reached at tilly.robinson@indystar.com.
View the creative headshots of the finalists competing for a spot on the 2026 Indianapolis Colts Cheer squad during Saturday’s Cheer Audition Showcase. Tune in to watch the team announcement LIVE on Colts social media platforms at 6:15 PM ET, March 7.
INDIANAPOLIS — Community leaders met with teens near the Artsgarden downtown this week to talk about staying safe and out of trouble ahead of the 4th of July weekend.
Young Men Inc, an organization aimed at empowering Black males ages 8 to 16, held the discussion to stress decision-making and city curfew rules.
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‘Making good choices can save their life’
Malachi Walker with Young Men Inc said the goal is to help kids understand their potential.
“Ultimate goal is to help kids make good decisions and choices in life,” Walker said. “One of the things that we stress to our young people in our Young Men is that they are somebody and they can succeed. We want them to know that making good choices can save their life.”
Walker said the group’s main purpose is to guide young people toward better life choices and help them understand their own potential.
Curfew warning for teens, parents
Walker also warned youth about Indianapolis curfew rules and what happens if they’re broken.
“There is a curfew,” Walker said. “They need to know that you cannot be down here after the curfew hours, otherwise you’ll be picked up, taken to a facility and held there until a parent picks you up.”
He urged parents to stay aware of their children’s whereabouts, especially at night.
“Know where your children are,” Walker said. “Wake up — when you’re going to bed and you’re out for the night, know that your children are at home safe.”
IFD: Must be 18 to set off fireworks
An Indianapolis Fire Department spokesperson also reminded residents about fireworks rules for the holiday weekend.
You must be 18 to set off fireworks and be on property you own or have permission to use, IFD said.
Indianapolis curfew law prohibits minors under 18 from being in public places from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, and from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. Friday and Saturday, unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.
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