(INDIANAPOLIS) — A police reform bill could go to Governor Holcomb as early as next week.
The bill is the product of eight months of behind-the-scenes discussions, and has the support of
groups ranging from the NAACP and Indianapolis Urban League to the Fraternal Order of
Police and the conservative Americans for Prosperity. The bill bans chokeholds except where deadly force would be justified, and requires de-escalation training. It also makes it easier to yank the certification of officers who have committed misconduct. And it requires police departments to supply the full work record of an officer applying to another department. State Police legal counsel Brad Hoffeditz says right now, many departments will only confirm an officer worked there.
Hoffeditz says most of the bill mirrors what State Police do already. But the de-escalation training
would become part of troopers’ annual refresher training, instead of being limited to their initial
police academy courses.
Americans for Prosperity state director Michael Chartier says the bill will help to build the
community trust that’s essential for police to do their jobs effectively.
A Senate committee unanimously endorsed the bill, following last month’s unanimous approval in
the House. All that’s left is a vote in the full Senate.
