INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett has announced the next chief of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.
Christopher Bailey, a 25-year veteran with IMPD, will take over the job. He was previously named as the department's acting chief in January.
"I want to express my gratitude to Mayor Hogsett for this incredible honor," Bailey said. "This is my home, and there's no place that I'd rather be."
Bailey said his 15-year-old daughter helped convince him to make his role as police chief permanent.
"A little over four weeks ago, I asked Hogsett not to consider me for the chief of police," Bailey said. "I didn't want my family to feel the burden of me serving in a high-profile position."
Bailey said his 15-year-old daughter helped him understand that "the best way I can show up for her as a parent is to show up for my community."
In his first role as police chief, Bailey announced Catherine Cummings and Michael Wolley as assistant chiefs of police.
Cummings will oversee the execution of IMPD's first strategic plan and will be responsible for building the programs and structures that prepare the department to tackle the public safety challenges of the future.
Wolley's focuses will be preventing and addresses violence in Indianapolis neighborhoods while overseeing both IMPD's Operations and Investigations Divisions.
"Let's continue the work we are doing right now because Indy, you deserve nothing less," Bailey said.
The announcement took place Monday, Feb. 12 at 1 p.m. and comes as Indianapolis prepares to welcome tens of thousands of fans from across the world for NBA All-Star Weekend.
Bailey, who was formerly an assistant chief of police, had been serving as acting chief while Hogsett continued his internal search to select a permanent chief following Randal Taylor's mid-December announcement that he would step down from the top spot after four years.
Taylor became IMPD's chief on Dec. 31, 2019. In a video and statement released Dec. 15, Taylor said he did not make the decision lightly, but after much prayer.
Taylor said he has been with the department for 30 years and had been in law enforcement for a total of 36 years. He also said he is not ready to be done serving.
"I'm not leaving the department. I'm gonna be around for at least another year and a half, God-willing, just working in a different capacity," Taylor said. "Hopefully something to do with helping out victims' families."
The Indy FOP released the following statement on the appointement:
“Today (2/12/2024) we learned of Mayor Hogsett’s appointment of Assistant Chief Chris Bailey to serve as IMPD’s Chief of Police.
We look forward to working with Chief Bailey to keep the IMPD moving forward.
Significant momentum can be reached with this continuity of leadership and continued progress.
The professional police officers who faithfully serve the residents, business owners and visitors of Indianapolis remain steadfast in their mission of preserving the law and restoring order all while interrupting crime and violence.
Full steam ahead.”