IMPD officer charged with misconduct, battery for February incident

An Indianapolis police officer is charged with misconduct and battery for a February incident.

The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office filed the charges against Officer Travis Lewis on Monday, according to an Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department press release. Lewis is charged with one felony count of official misconduct and two misdemeanor counts of battery with bodily injury for allegedly grabbing a man’s genitals while placing him under arrest.

IMPD Chief Randal Taylor is recommending the officer be fired for his alleged actions. Lewis is a three-year veteran with the department and is currently suspended without pay. There is body camera footage of the incident.

“It never feels good to learn that one of our own has been charged with a crime. But I promised our community transparency and that will continue to be a top priority for the department today and in the future,” Taylor said in a press release.

On Feb. 10, Lewis and other officers responded to a reported burglary in progress on the 8200 block of East 21st Street. A suspect was placed under arrest for invasion of privacy and officers attempted to place him into a squad car. According to a probable cause affidavit, Lewis allegedly grabbed the suspect’s genitals and threw him to the ground.

Contact reporter Katrina Pross at kpross@wfyi.org. Follow on Twitter: @katrina_pross.