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Indianapolis – Council President Steve Talley announced that he is happy with the continuing progress of the Council’s Law Enforcement Consolidation Committee after last night’s meeting. The committee amended the consolidation proposal, Proposal No. 471, to address some concerns of the sheriff, members of the police and sheriff departments, the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) and concerned citizens who testified at this and several prior public meetings of the committee.

President Talley said, "The amendments to the original proposal reflect what I and my fellow councillors have heard at those committee meetings. President Talley said that he had heard from individual constituents and participated in informal working group meetings, and therefore was pleased by the committee’s actions to address the concerns raised." He said, "I will continue to work with the mayor and the sheriff to ensure that their input is properly reflected in the final proposal."

Key changes to the proposal are:

• The creation of a 43 member steering committee to be co-chaired by a sworn officer appointed by the Sheriff and a sworn officer appointed by the chief of the Indianapolis Police Department. The committee membership will include:
• Six sworn officers appointed by the Sheriff and six sworn officers appointed by the Chief of IPD;
• Fourteen sworn officers elected by members of the Sheriff’s Department and fourteen sworn officers elected by members of IPD; and,
• Three members appointed by the FOP.
• An increase in the membership of the Transition Advisory Committee from 11 to 14.
• The chief of the new metropolitan law enforcement agency will be appointed by the Sheriff and approved by the Council and the Mayor.
• A sunset provision for the elimination of the Transition Authority which could occur as early as January 1, 2008.

President Talley said, "We have taken every measure to seek input and feedback. I’m confident that we will have a solid proposal for a consolidated law enforcement agency that provides our city with an opportunity to deliver essential law enforcement services in an effective, efficient and fiscally responsible manner. We cannot pass up this opportunity."

The Law Enforcement Committee will meet on Monday, November 7, 2005 to debate among committee members, to consider further amendments and to vote on the final proposal. The meeting will be held in the Public Assembly Room of the City-County Building at 5:30 p.m.

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