Councilors call for disciplinary policy reform in IMPD after two officers arrested for sex crimes

Two Indianapolis City-County councilors are calling for policy reform with the Indiana Metropolitan Police Department's disciplinary procedures after two officers were recently arrested for child sex crimes.

City-County Councilor Rena Allen (D-District 15) and Councilor Carlos Perkins (D-District 6) released a joint statement Monday that calls for the revision of the department’s termination policy.

Perkins said the current policy “protects officers who have done significant damage to the community and undermines the chief’s authority.”

"This ordinance does not serve the leadership of the department, and it needs revisions as soon as possible to ensure accountability and restore trust within our community," Perkins said in a statement.

Last week, Officer Kamal Bola was arrested on federal counts of child molestation and voyeurism. In August, IMPD Sergeant Javed Richards was arrested on 12 federal counts of child exploitation. Both officers were suspended and recommended for termination.

IMPD’s civilian police merit board determines disciplinary action for department officers. However, the board won’t hear cases until connecting court cases have concluded, according to the press statement.

“We recognize that to restore trust in our public institutions, policy changes are necessary to remove bad actors from the force,” Allen said in a statement.

Under current policies laid out in the Indianapolis-Marion County Code of Ordinances, the police chief has the authority to issue a written reprimand, suspend officers without pay, recommend discharge, demote officers and reinstate officer pay after suspension.

The councilors said they are committed to working with IMPD and the community to change this ordinance. They plan to introduce the policy revision to the council this fall.

Contact WFYI Morning Edition newscaster and reporter Abriana Herron at aherron@wfyi.org.