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ISP won't update police chase protocol following 2 state troopers' deaths

Troopers Aaron Smith, 33, and James Bailey, 50, were both killed in 2023 while deploying Stop Sticks to slow fleeing drivers.

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana State Police said they don't plan to make changes in policies regarding pursuits after the death of two troopers in 2023.

Troopers Aaron Smith, 33, and James Bailey, 50, were both killed in 2023 while deploying stop sticks to slow fleeing drivers.

Credit: Indiana State Police
Indiana State Police Trooper Aaron Smith is shown in a 2018 photo from ISP.
Credit: Indiana State Police

13News' Emily Longnecker spoke to ISP Superintendent Doug Carter, who was able to confirm the protocol will not change.

Carter said at the high level, they will not be making any updates.

"We have a comprehensive training program with stop sticks and pursuits," Carter said.

According to Carter, ISP always peer reviews an incident when it involves an officer being killed. 

A peer review has not taken place yet, and it is unclear when it will happen.

Whenever there's a police chase, Carter said there is oversight throughout the chase, and ISP calls off more chases than it keeps going. He did not specify why they decided to continue the chase involving Smith.

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