INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) — Faith in Indiana leaders came together on Thursday to talk about the change they expect from city leaders and officers following days of protests against police brutality.
"Protest is proper," one leader said, clarifying that protest and destruction are not the same. "I am in no way advocating for destruction of property, but let me be clear, protest is proper. ... Protest and violence are not designed to go together. That's not what we want," one leader said.
The Faith In Indiana leaders reviewed demands they had requested of Mayor Hogsett:
- An immediate enhancement/amendment to the use of force policy in police departments
- Violence should be used as a last resort, never a first response to any altercation involved with another human being
- Implement progressive disciplinary policies for officers who step out of line. Discipline could include termination and criminal charges of the perpetrators.
- Demand full implementation of Group Violence Intervention, a strategy to reduce violence
- Demanding all officers wear body cams
Earlier this month, Mayor Hogsett said that all IMPD officers would receive body cams this summer. That announcement came after the fatal police-involved shooting of Dreajson Reed. Faith in Indiana leaders expressed the need for consequences against officers who do not wear their body cams or have them turned off, and even suggested termination in certain circumstances if body cameras weren't properly worn.
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The faith leaders are encouraged by commitments made during a meeting with the mayor’s office Thursday morning. The mayor plans to offer a public response to the Faith In Indiana demands Friday.
Protests have spread across the city and country for the past several days following the death of George Floyd In Minneapolis.