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So How Would You Reform IMPD?

It’s apparent that for some of you we are going to have to agree to disagree on whether Frank Straub should be reappointed as Public Safety Director, so let’s set that aside for a moment while I ask a simple hypothetical.

You are now in charge of public safety in Indianapolis.  Your power is no greater nor less than that of the current public safety director.  How would you reform IMPD?  Or does it need even reform?  Feel free to elaborate for as long as you like.  I have plenty of server space.

By the way,  I’ll be back on the radio Sunday on WXNT-AM (1430) filling for my friend Nathan Thornberry on his “Back to Business” radio show.  It runs Sunday morning from 11 until noon.  One of the topics we’ll be discussing will be the Bisard case.

 

Posted: 04|19|12 at 12:02 am by Abdul Hakim-Shabazz
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  • Ramon

    Fire Frank Straub!!!!

  • Scooter

    Do away with the PSD position entirely.  Let the Chief of Police (a real, certified Indiana cop), run that department. (Same for IFD).

    Tell the FOP, (and any other union/club/brotherhood), involved with IMPD) to pound it, and use that current contract for your cat’s litterbox.

    A cop breaks the rules with a DUI/OWI, confirmed spouse abuse, taking bribes, planting evidence, that person is done & gone, (with criminal charges filed), before the sun sets the same day.  Excessive force/brutality or covering up, if confirmed, that person is history.  Tear up a car because you got stupid?  It’s coming out of your pay. Lose a piece of taxpayer funded equipment?  It’s out of your next check. (Kinda sounds like the military services & what the federal gov’t does to 18 year olds, huh?). The taxpayer trusts you, now be responsible & accountable.

    I can go on & on with a listing of no-nos, but a real incentive for the IMPD to keep it’s behavior on track would be that any pay-outs be cause of police ‘mess ups’ be borne by that fiscal year’s retiree dollars. 

    The perfect motivational tool to use in this mess known as IMPD is to initially go after a person’s income, and their continued employment. Only once the group starts to fall into line with their behaviors can you move forward with correcting IMPD’s performance, and regaining the public trust.

  • Abdul

     Under this hypothetical Straub is gone and you are in charge.  Do you have any ideas?

  • http://twitter.com/downey Michael Downey

    I’d start by giving my office an expensive remodeling job.

  • Me

    OK, I know this sounds strange coming from me.  I have been very vocal about how incompetent and shady Straub is.  However, the idea of improving the bad things in IPD & MCSD / IMPD is not new or exclusive to Ballard/Straub.  The cause is actually noble, necessary and the right thing to do for the Community in which needs (and pays for) a great Police Force.
    No Doubt, Straub MUST GO!  Once we get legitimate, competent leaders in as Public Safety Director, Chief and Executive Staff we can work together.  With the Community, the Mayor’s Office, the IMPD Executives and the Rank and File Officers through their elected representatives, the FOP, we could have a “strong force for improvement.”  Straub has just plain and simply FAILED to pull this off, FIRE HIM!
    For years the FOP has “blown the whistle” on the incompetence at the top levels and the bad policies.  Recent polls the FOP has done have showed that they are truly representing the wishes of the Rank and File Officers.  These Officers demand a Police Department they can be proud of.  This is their Community, they were not recruited from some mystical island.  The Officers of the FOP live, pay taxes, volunteer in the community and vote right here.  They work hard and care.
    So Abdul, what would I do?  I would continue with “reforming” IMPD.  Only with competent leadership with a meaningful and healthy connection to OUR community!

  • Me

    Rank and File Officers of IMPD should NOT submit and follow the STYLE of Straub.  If you support Straub’s style, imagine if you or your family needed the Police.  The Officer showed up and talked to you and or treated you like Straub treats people?????????  Just like Straub, Officers have a tough job to do and sometimes they deal with good people (maybe an alarm run at their home/business, they need a crash report or they are a victim of Domestic Violence).  However, under the Straub model, the good people would have the same harshness and disdain heaped upon them as the Child Predator.  In the case of your loved one, the harsh and demeaning officer is doing the tough job of “cleaning up the mess you have created” without any “technical violation” yet he lacks the discretion and people skills or he is just plain incompetent.  Does not seem fair, does it?  Do you think the Officer would be able to get the job done?  Would the Officer have the support of their supervisors or the public?Next time you deal with “one of those” kinds of Officers, just ask yourself, “are they are acting much different than their leader, FRANK STRAUB?”

  • Me

    Abdul,
    Let’s not put the cart befor the horse.

    1. Get rid of the virus
    2. Start the healing process
    3. Get a plan together for getting your strength back
    4. Achieve Greatness

    Abdul, don’t get carried away with all you fixes of “if I were in charge” until you get rid of the reason why you need to ask such a question!

  • Nick

    First of all, the Mayor should keep the public safety director position.

    No Mayor should take direct control of the police department or public schools because each is a huge job that requires different skills and could easily consume every waking moment of the day.

    Second, the Mayor needs to make sure his public safety director is on top of his job, not playing games, corrupt, or on a ego trip that interferes  with the smooth operation of the departments.

    He should show 100% support for his people in public and privately drill them for failings.  The Mayor needs to publicly make clear he wants certain policies implemented and anyone deviating from the plan or not following orders will be replaced.

    Third, the Mayor and Public Safety Director need to take constructive criticism from the police unions, community activists, & city council and make the necessary changes to address real problems.

    That being said, he should make clear to the unions that he is ultimately in charge and that unreasonable demands will be firmly rejected. 

    He should also make clear to community activists  and politicians that protecting the public is not a game. 

    If they want to be part of the solution great, but if they want to make excuses for poor behaviors, make unsupported claims of injustices, and grandstand against the hard work of many good people, that he will unleash a overwhelming response that will call out they own misguided ways.

    It’s Spring, time to get to work.

  • Me

    Nick,
    Coming from a FOP Supporter, I endorse your comments.  Well put, all of it, even the roll of the FOP part.

  • Pascal

    I will likely need assistance in finding 1430 a.m. on my radio since there has been no reason to ever listen to it since your departure.  

  • Pissed off in haughville

    #1,.I would make Ballard actually ride in a police car in haughvile on a hot July night.Let him see what the cops really do. I don’t think that he has a clue as to what the street guys to every night. Then I would put the MCSD back on the streets to help out IMPD

    #2.I would purge every bit of the east coast mafia that Straub has brought in.He has done nothing but fill the pockets of his buddies.

    #3. I would make Emmis Broadcasting pay back the $50,000 that they received from Straub on a NO BID professional contract to help improve the image of the IMPD.

    #4/ I would find the best COP to fill that position.Not a cop want a be like Straub. Im not sure how I could come to work,knowing that every one of my employees hate me.I think hat Straub gets off on not being liked and may even play that up.

    #5.I would apologize to all of the IMPD officers that have been abused by Straub. For example, the IMPD officer that would not give Straub a gun was transferred to IMPD hell because he dared to not give Straub a gun.

    #6. I would make Straub pay back the city for the gas he wastes while he runs into Starbucks every morning.Yes, every morning he pulls up in front of Starbucks, lights flashing, he and his body guard get out of the car (That is blocking the road) and run in and get their coffee. Of course he does not pay.

    #7 I would make sure that the cops have toilet paper.Right now they have to bring in their own because there is no money. 

    #8. I would apologize to the citizens of Indianapolis for bringing this cancer to our city.

    #9. I would not cook the crime stats and  I would have the books audited by a real independent source.

    #10. I would strike any record of Herr Straub ever being in our city.

  • sjudge

    Not much different from IPS  -  you mostly need a perception change.  Re-name it to Marion County Police Department and hopelessly confuse people.

  • Dave

    Professors Abdul & Matt Will should spearhead an economic literacy project for journalists; whose faces go blank screen when they’re presented with basic, etch a sketch economics.  

  • Pogden297

    I liked Pissed Off’s suggestion, though I would definitely get rid of the public safety director position all together. People don’t have a problem with professionalizing the police department or even bringing in an outsider. The problem is when you put public safety in the hands of an egotistical maniac who has no actual law experience.  Straub has personality problems that should disqualify him from every working as a public safety director again.  Rest assured though, some city will hire him.

  • Me

    Calling Abdul,
    Oh, I almost forgot with this newest Straub fiasco, how is he doing with his budgeting flub?  Could you please report on Straub’s crime stats?  Please, include all crimes.
    Oh yeah Abdul, how about you do a “freedom of information” request and get the property room records of who signed for the transfer of the blood, and other evidence, from the main property room to the annex?

  • Proper-procedure

    I would like more information about the gun given to Dr. Straub.  He is not a sworn “Indiana” Law Enforcement Officer.  Even with an Indiana Gun permit, the city has a significant liablility with him using a city gun.  Does he still have it?  Has he been trained to standard with it?  Does he requalify with it according to policy?  Please provide additional details.  This should be brought to the attention of the Public Safety Committee.

  • Avigdor

    in other words you do not want the police treated like they treat the common man?  That will not go over very well.

    I think that the reason Straub is hated is that he is trying to end the good ole boy system that has ruled IMPD for decades.  Too many cops are acting like they are high school jocks (most played high school football or baseball btw).

    Would you rather that the state comes in and takes over IMPD like they are doing with IPS?

  • Avigdor

    All police and fire, statewide, should be moved to the county sheriff.  To keep politics out of it, there should be merit boards to isolate the average LEO or fire fighter just as it is done now with the city.  I would also move Emergency Management under the sheriff.

    The sheriff could be anyone, not just someone who is a cop or fire fighter.  Thus we could have lawyers running for sheriff.

    Mayors do a poor job with police and fire because most mayors are into economic development, not doing the basics.

    But then I believe that we should only have one school corporation at county level that also has the parks and librarys under its control.  Let the county council deal with the financial and have each high school have a board of parents and teachers who hire, fire and set standards for the high school and all of the schools feeding it.

  • Jimboindy

    Not being an Indy native and having lived in 7 different cities around the country during my life, I have a different prospective:
    1. Since we have “Uni-gov” lets get on with the Uni part.  We need only one law enforcement organization,  Since the Sheriff is Constitutionally established, that position shall be the chief law enforcement officer of the city/County.  Chief of Police and IMPD goes away, all become part of Sheriff Dept.
    2. Eliminate Public Safety Director position.  Sheriff runs law enforcement,   Fire Chief runs fire protection and ambulance service, etc.  All Department heads report to mayor.  I would hope that each would be grown up enough to reach agreement on inter-departmental issues.  Each department head would appoint assistants to handle each sub-division within the department, i.e.  patrol, jail, warrant service, etc.
    3. If some large area of concern doesn’t fit within a single department, say Emergency/disaster response, then make a new department just for that group of services or coordination.
    4. Employee review board consisting of someone representing each dept. and a couple of citizen rep’s.  Department investigates complaint first, presents report to review board.
    5. Departments must show support for employees and keep the internal politics out of the news.  Internal review must be tough but those accused of misconduct should not be tried in the press, at least until a complete investigation is complete.

    I have never lived in a city with such a screwed up City/County/Township system that thinks it is unified.  The best cities were totally combined:  law enforcement, fire protection, medical, courts, all the way down to animal control and trash collection.  Need something, call that department, for anywhere in the whole county.

  • Ross

    Former Marion County Sheriff Jack Cottey: We Want Him Gone

    http://www.theindychannel.com/news/30916431/detail.html

    Could Someone tell Jack Cotty To Shut Up?

    Securatex Contract With Washington Township Schools Raises Concern

    http://advanceindiana.blogspot.com/2010/02/securatex-contract-with-washington.html

    Jack Cottey’s Got A Problem

    http://www.wthr.com/Global/story.asp?s=822928&clienttype=printable

    Dude Where Is My Car Video

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mb21oEgsJus

  • Paul

    Is there an itemized list of all the things that come up ‘missing’ in the property room.

  • Pissed off in Haughville

    He was not given a gun, that is why the guy got transfers to IMPD hell.It was the same day that he demanded a badge and that all of the officers stand and salute him. 

    Brought to the attention of the Public Safety Committee? really?, after they gave Straub a pass last night? They basically gave Straub time to spin the story.He has another month to get his PR team going and blame someone else.Last night was a joke

    There was a lot of chest thumping last night,but in the end Straub walked out as usual in his superman outfit knowing that the CCC is powerless in reality.

  • Think Again

    Oh for Christ’s sake this Mayor campaigned on taking the PD back into his stable.

    Get over it already.  He’s capable.  Get rid ot the entire PSDept.  Save $2.5 mil a year.  

    It’s not about Straub, per sey, it’s about a layer of bureaucracy between the Mayor and the chief.  It’s stupid and wasteful. Even though Ballard is selling or leasing off any city asset that’s not bolted down, we aren’t exactly flush with cash. Savings the PSD money, and putting it back into the IMPD budgets, would be welcome.  That amounts to about 45-50 more line officers.  

    I don’t know what to do with the FOP.  I beleive strongly in collective bargaining.  The trouble is, IMPD is the only entity tht recognized they were dealing with incompetence, and they’ve likely bargained that advantage into every line of their contract.  It’s difficult to put toothpaste back into the tube.

    I think the mayor wants top-bottom reform.  So be it. Be bold and get rid of the PSDept.  

    What’s so magical about a PSDirector’s job, anyway?

  • Think Again

    I’m pretty sure only the elected Marion County Sheriff can use “Marion County’ in his agency’s law enforcement title. By law.

  • Think Again

    Uh, Jimboi, Bart Peterson tried that.  The FOP screamed like stuck hogs.  Ballard campaigned on a platform that specifically called for him to get the IMPD back.
    Careful what you wish for.

  • Think Again

    Cottey may be right, but he has no credibility.  Anywhere.  Worse toup thtan Pat Bauer, and don’t forget that rant, caught on tape, when someone towed his fiery red Camaro.  It’s hilarious.  And embarrassing.

  • Think Again

    Now there’s a damned good question.  Although, in the case of this blood vial, if I read the reports correctly, it’s not missing.  It just wasn’t properly refrigerated for a period of time, which puts the chemistry in doubt.

    Does anyone else have a different read on this?

  • Me

    Speaking of High School, did you go?

    What I said is that Police Officers should be competent, use descretion and have good people skills.  Contrast that with Straub’s high school jock style.

    Anyway, I see how your kind excuses Straub.  Failure to look at the facts and a deep rooted hatred of police authority.

  • Think Again

    The Straub-gun thing can’t be true.  Nobody’s that stupid.

  • Me

    TA, not exactly (close though).
     
    The Sheriff was not in charge.  He could not make a single decision without crawling across the street and begging Peterson.  Most things the figurehead Sheriff was told no.
     
    Strange that you would think of the FOP pointing out that the system was broken as “screamed like stuck hogs.”  A little “thank you” to the FOP would be in order.
     
    By the way, I could care less if the Sheriff or the Mayor was in charge, as long as whoever would be totally accountable, not the three-headed monster.

  • Me

    That video is a classic.  People really get hopped up when they get their cars towed.  Remember when the Black Expo goers all threw fits about getting their cars towed?

  • Me

    I would think that you could do a “request for public records” for the answers to your questions.  Those type of things are public record.

  • Me

    WISHTV.com is reporting that Straub new about the blood vial move way back in early April.  The report says that Straub then conspired to have the blood vial moved back to refrigeration.  All this was done before the Judge’s order to test it.  OOOOPPPSS! who is playing cover-up?  If what WISHTV’s reporting is true?  Who worked with Straub to do the re-move of the vial and why didn’t they “blow the whistle” on the whole operation?

  • Turk182

    I saw Mary Mills on TV last nite, her and her husband are using canes, and We shouldn’t forget Eric Wells.
    These folks are the most important people in this whole issue!
    Their very angry, and the Mayor plays politics!

     

  • Me

    Forget the “thin blue line” folks.  Most of us knew all along to look at the “fat green line” of taxpayer $$$$ being siphoned by Straub and WHO KNOWS WHO ELSE????  If you are involved in something with Straub, come forward now and ask for lenience. The FBI maybe our only hope to do something about Straub.  http://www.wishtv.com/dpp/news/local/marion_county/bisard-foul-up-who-knew-what-when

  • Me

    Turk182,
    Thanks for reminding us of that.  All the politics aside, the whole thing has ruined a lot of lives.

    I understand that in the two years since the tragedy, Ballard and Straub both refuse to meet with the effected families.

  • Me

    Upon further examination of this video:
     
    http://www.wishtv.com/dpp/news/local/marion_county/bisard-foul-up-who-knew-what-when
    For those that are trained and experienced in interview and interrogation skills, watch 1:00 of this video.  You will see the “grooming gesture” the Mayor displayed when telling his version of the timeline.  Then look at 1:49 of Straub’s version of the timeline.  You will hear/see Straub’s “searching for answers look down” accompanied by an “involuntary and needless” nervous clearing of his throat.  As if the actual words of their discrepant accounts was not enough?  The FBI will be able to use a “voice stress analyser” on this video.  Maybe it is all just a mix-up?

  • http://twitter.com/IndyStudent Matthew Stone

    “Keep politics out of it”

    But county Sheriff is an elected position. Candidates that run for that office are nominated by political parties. There will be politics involved.

    I do agree that all public safety services should be under one roof. But Indianapolis faces the question of if it should be under the mayor, or under the sheriff. In Indianapolis’ case, I think the mayor being at the top works best. That might not work for many of Indiana’s more rural counties.

  • Think Again

    Well, the Sheriff being 90%-or-more in charge was the plan.  Check the facts. That’s the way Bart wanted it, in large part because he was fed-up dealing with the FOP and their constant moving-of-goalposts.  It just wasn’t worth it.  He figured, perhaps wrongly, that an elected sheriff should be in charge.  Voters said otherwise.  So be it.

    Good Lord, Ballard used it like candy in his 2007 campaign.  He won.  He’s in charge now.  I’m actually OK with that. It’s the PSD layer that I detest.  

    The FOP whines way too much.  They should get a PR counselor.  So no, I won’t thank them.  Little boy, meet wolf.

    I do thank individual LEOs.  Whenever I get the chance.  But their union?  Hell no.
    They’re a huge part of the problem.

  • Think Again

    I don’t remember that but Boy Howdy, I do remember that blond toupe telling the carlot cashier “wait til I see your boss” and cursing up a storm.  If he wans’t drunk he should’ve been.  Priceless video.  He has no cred.  Anywhere. And why is is opinion of current events relevant?  It’s as if the reporters went quote-shopping.  

  • Think Again

    Criminal proceedings and certain civil trial materials, are exempt from FOI requests until, the matters are concluded, and sometimes after that.

    But it might be worth a trip…..

  • Think Again

    Seriously?

    If so, the prosecutor should open an investigation immediately.

    God I hope this isn’t true.

  • Me

    You sure are a selfish little one aren’t you?  Oh well, I’m sure the FOP says “you’re welcome” anyway.
    I’m sure your little computer monitor told you so (your above regurgitation).  You really ought to get out into the real world.  Peterson’s plan was not to put the Sheriff in charge, HE WAS A FIGUREHEAD.
    I suppose you are right.  The FOP should just be quiet and not represent their members, seems fair with your logic.  Or maybe the FOP should consult you for approval, rather than the members?????  My goodness we don’t want the FOP to be called whiners by a poster on a blog.  I mean Bart Peterson told you so.

  • Me

    I do agree with you about that video.  I love watching it.

    Anyway, didn’t Bart Peterson tell you about the cars that were towed at Black Expo that year?  That might explain why you didn’t hear about it.  Maybe your computer/internet was down that day???

  • Me

    Oh well, at least you do not have to leave your little computer monitor going down there.

  • Me

    Oh TA, stop your whining.  You are always whining about things.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_AL7EE2BSXUXNWYHF5OFPKPEWKM Watcherprime

    To be honest, I think Mr. Straub has the unfortunate and thankless task of reforming what we all know is a good ole boys network in IMPD.

    I would have moved faster, there would be no admin leaves if i could help it. People would be fired and arrested on conspiracy charges for stalling the investigation if there was foot dragging to be found.

    Otherwise, departmental reforms take time and in some cases take more than 2 years.

  • Me

    That would be fine if there was in fact some kind of evidence of corruption, a cover-up or dragging their feet.  I say get them.  However, the only true “corruption” that has come up in the more than two years that Straub has been here is the Lincoln Plowman corruption case.  And remember, Straub put him in that key position.  The Plowman case had to be exposed by an outside agency.  Why didn’t your anti-corruption hero, Mr. Straub, catch Plowman (one of his own good ole boys)?  That one was going on right under Straub’s nose, within his own hand-picked leadership team.  Let us contrast Mr. Straub’s buddy Plowman with the many, many cases of Officer Misconduct that were detected, investigated and successfully prosecuted by other rank and file Patrolman.  Face it, your Mr. Straub has FAILED.  Now that you brought up “conspiracy charges for stalling an investigation” check out 1:00 and 1:49 in this video:
    http://www.wishtv.com/dpp/news/local/marion_county/bisard-foul-up-who-knew-what-when

  • Think Again

    Selfish?  Nah.  Just tired. The FOP represents its members.  Fair enough.

    I get weary of their every complaint being publicly aired. And I understand when they have to stand up fort creeps within their ranks.  They could do it a little more quietly.

    Ask around.

    And you couldn’t be more wrong about Bart and the Sheriff.  You don’t know what you’re talking about.  Bart had it up to here with the FOP and their negotiations. They negotiated 24/7/365, and it appeared they did a lot of it ion public.  That gets tiring.

    I’m pretty sure he was more than happy to transfer power.

  • Think Again

    I would’ve expected it to be more widely-reported.  Or I was on vacation that week.  S*** happens.  

    The Bart remark is funny.  Haven’t spoken to him in a long time.  I don’t think he’s looking back at all, Except to laugh.

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