INDIANAPOLIS — On Wednesday, Metro Police Chief Randal Taylor addressed city-county councilors on his officers’ response to recent protests, officer accountability and the department's use of force policy.
"The video that everybody is talking about with the baton strikes, if you saw that video or if you heard my comments, you would know the first words out of my mouth was I didn't like what I saw," said Taylor.
That officer is seen on video using his baton, repeatedly striking a young woman. Taylor says the officer attempted to put her hands behind her back and she pulled away. That officer is now under investigation.
"It looked bad. I would rather us train to use a different tactic to use on a single female when we had other officers who could have stepped in," said Taylor.
The department's use of force policy includes proposals like barring chokeholds, more training in de-escalation, no shooting in moving vehicles and requiring officers to intervene and report when another officer uses inappropriate force.
Councilors questioned the deployment of tear gas.
"Those agents are probably the least-lethal force that we can use," said Taylor.
Taylor also said he disagrees with calls to defund the police department.
"I would agree that we need to try to locate additional funds for public health and safety, which may be well-suited to address some of the issues in the community as far as violence is concerned," said Taylor.
During the protests, officers arrested more than 120 people. Taylor says about three or four officers were injured.
Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears says the vast majority of the arrests were disorderly conduct cases. No charges were filed in 102 of them.
"If people come downtown and they want to exercise their right to protest, if they want to demonstrate, that we're going to protect those rights and we're going to empower people to make sure their message is heard," said Mears.
His office did file charges for 25 people for incidents downtown, including one person charged with murder.
Calls from some residents now asking Chief Taylor to resign.
"No I shouldn't resign. I've been here six months. I've got a lot of work to do, I understand that, but the foundation of the department is good. I think it was left in good shape by Chief Roach and myself and my executive command staff are committed to making this department the best that it can be," said Taylor.
Taylor says he understands law enforcement is not perfect.
"I think if you're honest with yourself, you'll find a large majority of them, especially here in Indianapolis, are doing the best they can and they're not violating people's rights and they're trying to keep people safe and they're trying to make a difference in the communities," said Taylor.