Sandra Chapman/13 Investigates
Indianapolis - 13 Investigates the whereabouts of the city's top safety official during the long manhunt for last week's murder suspects.
13 Investigates has confirmed that Safety Director Robert Turner is on a paid leave of absence and is looking for a new job.
Mayor Bart Peterson and his top chiefs, sworn officers and even city attorneys converged on Hamilton Avenue Friday in response to the city's worst mass killing in decades. But noticeably absent for much of the action was career officer and Public Safety Director Bob Turner.
"He's currently on a leave of absence," said Steve Campbell, deputy mayor. "He's looking for other employment at the moment. He's still being paid, but has expressed a desire to do something different."
Turner has clocked 33 years with the city, six and a half of them as the public safety director. Time began winding down on his post in January after a second attempt at police consolidation passed. The city kept the public safety director post but changed its focus by putting all law enforcement under the sheriff's control and more emphasis on homeland security.
"Emergency management is something that six or seven years ago no one was talking about. Now everyone is talking about it," said Campbell.
Turner earned the rank of permanent captain at the Indianapolis Police Department and has the option of returning or retiring at that rank and set pay. For now, his office in public safety sits empty.
Campbell said such leave is allowed in city government.
"Now, that doesn't mean there are any gaps in public safety. We have a fire chief, a police chief, a head of emergency management, a head of animal care and control; so they're just currently reporting on a day to day basis to this office," said Campbell.
Our repeated attempts to reach Robert Turner for comment were unsuccessful. The city hasn't posted the public safety director position. It's awaiting word from Turner, who officially left a week and a half ago to take an indefinite leave of absence.
Campbell said Turner did a great job and was a police officer first and foremost, but the next public safety director will have more experience with homeland security issues.
