Indianapolis Metropolitan Police's Civilian Use of Force Board oversees potential police misconduct in every instance where an officer uses force — many instances being officer-involved shootings.
According to the department, the board was launched in 2021 and is regulated by the General Orders board, which also includes civilians. Both boards are a direct response to the 2020 killing of George Floyd by ex-Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin.
Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Deputy Chief Richard Riddle said amid that backdrop, the city was weathering its own police-community tensions after officers fatally shot Dreasjon Reed. Protesters took to downtown and what began as peaceful demonstrations escalated to riots after police fired chemical agents on the crowd, according to a report from the mayor's office.
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What the board does and does not do
The board reviews every use or attempted use of force by an officer on a person or animal, even if the use of force doesn't lead to death. They review every officer's intentional or accidental discharge of a firearm to see if it complies with the General Orders, which outline the department's policing policies.
An officer in question is brought before the board in a hearing, which can be alongside an internal and/or criminal investigation.
"Let's say an officer shot a deer on the southside," Riddle said. "We have to check to see if that shooting was in compliance, not saying an officer would randomly do that, (but) there could be a situation where they see an animal suffering. Still, the board is tasked with finding facts to make a recommendation to the chief of police."
Findings from the board are given to the department's administration.
The board cannot, however, implement suspensions, reprimand of officers, termination or say whether an officer's actions were lawful or unlawful.
"We are tasked with saying, 'yes or no,'" Riddle said. "Was or wasn't this incident in compliance with policy."
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The Civilian Use of Force Review board
It's called the Civilian Use of Force, because it's a majority civilian seated board, but currently the board sits at an even 4-to-4 ratio.
Made up of nine members, the chief of police appoints four, the city-county council appoints three, and the mayor appoints two.
According to a spokesperson for the city-county council, one appointee had to step away for a "family emergency."
The civilians who sit on the board undergo some formal police training before taking their seats including attending a citizen's police academy and doing ride-a-longs with officers. How long a civilian serves their term for the board is determined by their appointed person or entity.
IMPD confirmed that Lt. Richard Strateman serves as the board's current chair. Among the three other officers appointed by the chief, one serves as a "floating officer," depending on the case.
"We rotate the seat out," Riddle said. "Because we have at least one peer of the officer or officers who are being reviewed in a case."
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Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett appointed Lauren Rodriguez to the board. She is serving her first term from Jan. 17, 2024 to the end of the year, according to the board member website. Brandon D. Cosby was also appointed by the mayor back in January of last year and will serve until the end of this year.
The two city-county council appointees who serve on the board are Leon Jackson and Myrna Martin.
Public safety and criminal justice committee chairman, Leroy Robinson (District 11) said the city-county council's role in appointing members ensures that diverse perspectives, experiences and concerns from the community are directly heard and considered.
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"(It) enhances public trust in the police oversight process and ensures accountability and transparency to our citizens," Robinson told the IndyStar. "It also provides appointees with a comprehensive understandingofthe oversight process, empowering them to become stronger, more informed advocates for their communities."
He said this approach fosters a senseofshared responsibility for public safety and helps bridge the gap between law enforcement and the community, which leads to more effective and equitable policing practices.
Contact Jade Jackson at Jade.Jackson@IndyStar.com. Follow her on Twitter @IAMJADEJACKSON.
