Public Safety Committee Budget Hearings for IMPD and IFD - September 9, 2026
Public Safety Committee Budget Hearings for IMPD and IFD - September 9, 2026
The Public Safety and Criminal Justice Committee of the Indianapolis-Marion County City-County Council held a budget hearing on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. in the Public Assembly Room. The committee reviewed the proposed 2027 budgets for the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) and the Indianapolis Fire Department (IFD). The meeting was marked by heated public testimony and disruptions related to the recent fatal police shooting of Dallas Jet, with several audience members removed for disorderly conduct.
IMPD Budget Presentation
Chief Tanya Terry and CFO Deb Hall presented IMPD's 2027 budget request. Chief Terry highlighted progress in violent crime reduction, with double-digit declines in homicides and nonfatal shootings, and a 25% drop in property crime over five years. She emphasized that youth involvement in violence remains a concern, noting that the proportion of youth in nonfatal shootings rose by 5.5% even as overall numbers fell. The department has 1,383 sworn officers, 360 short of the authorized strength of 1,743. The current recruit class is the largest in four years, with over 30 recruits. The budget request includes $41 million more than the previous year, with 79% allocated to personnel. Key items include funding for union-negotiated raises, overtime to cover staffing shortages, and 180 new vehicles (short of the 300 needed annually). Chief Terry addressed the Dallas Jet shooting, stating that evidence shows Jet fired a round that struck an officer's vest, and that both investigations are ongoing. She reaffirmed that IMPD does not ask about immigration status and is not participating in federal immigration sweeps. Concerns about ALPR (license plate reader) misuse were addressed: a new policy requires every search to be tied to a case number, and daily audits are now conducted. The department is also moving to a 10-hour shift model, which was popular with officers.
IFD Budget Presentation
Chief Ernest Malone and CFO Dawn Sykes-Randall presented IFD's 2027 budget request of $298.9 million, an increase driven largely by 50 firefighters transitioning from a SAFER grant to the general fund and higher pension contributions. IFD has 1,276 sworn firefighters and 48 civilian staff. Chief Malone highlighted the department's international accreditation and ISO Class 1 rating (only 127 out of 30,000 U.S. fire departments hold both). The budget includes 65 new recruits to keep pace with attrition. New initiatives include the Pulse Point app (to alert CPR-trained bystanders) and a station replacement plan that prioritizes the 10 most in-need stations. Unfunded requests included an administrative vehicle replacement plan, dedicated station repair funding, additional fire gear, three administrative positions, and an adjustment to the overtime work factor. The department has a 20-year station replacement plan, with Station 24 on the East Side ranking high on the list. IFD's fleet is in strong shape following a completed 10-year apparatus replacement plan.
Public Comments & Testimony
Numerous community members spoke during public testimony, many expressing outrage over the Dallas Jet shooting and demanding accountability. Speakers criticized the budget request, arguing that funds should be reallocated from IMPD and that the department has failed to provide transparency. Several speakers called for the release of full body camera footage and for systemic changes to public safety. Others raised concerns about ALPRs, immigration enforcement, and the high cost of overtime. A few speakers praised Chief Terry's leadership but urged more community engagement. Family members of Dallas Jet addressed the committee, seeking truth and justice. One speaker, Torian Everett, encouraged the council to support the strategic plan and community engagement efforts.
Discussion Items
Committee members questioned Chief Terry and Chief Malone extensively. Councilor Perkins noted that IMPD consumes 25% of the city's budget and questioned the use of funds for overtime given chronic vacancies. Councilor Brown pressed for details on ALPR auditing and expressed frustration over the department's response to immigration enforcement operations. Councilor Boots raised traffic enforcement concerns, and Councilor Hart asked about retention and the need for a recruitment pipeline. Councilors generally praised IFD's presentation and leadership, with Councilor Hart calling it the best budget presentation he had seen. Several members expressed interest in fire consolidation to reduce property taxes. Councilor Perkins clarified that Pike Township has no interest in consolidation. Councilor Wells inquired about IFD's unfunded requests, which included additional vehicles, station repairs, and administrative support. The meeting concluded with no votes taken, as it was solely a hearing.
Key Outcomes
- No formal votes were taken during the hearing.
- The committee will continue to review the proposed budgets for further consideration.
- Chief Terry committed to providing additional data on vehicle usage and ALPR audits.
- Chief Malone noted that IFD's 20-year station replacement plan prioritizes Station 24 but requires additional funding for construction.
- The meeting was adjourned after public testimony, with the understanding that budget discussions would proceed through the normal legislative process.
Meeting Transcript
Good afternoon, everyone. It's 5 30 p.m. Excuse me. On Wednesday, September the 9th, 2026. Welcome to the public assembly room of the City County Building and the Public Safety Committee of the City County Council. We'll start introductions this evening with our council to our left, Councillor O'Neill. Thank you, Mr. Chairman Paul and A, District 22. Thank you, Mr. Chair, Brian Mowray, District 25. Thank you, Mr. Chair Brian Delaney, District 2. Council Perkins. Thank you, Mr. Chair, Dr. Carlos Perkins, District 6. Thanks, Mr. Chair. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Frank Maskier, District 19, Southeast Side. Thank you, Mr. Chairman Dan Boots, District 3, Lawrence, Washington Townships. Thank you, Councilman Lee Wire Robinson, Chair of the Committee, representing District 1. We have one guest counselor this evening, Councillor Brown. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Jesse Brown, District 13. Thank you, Counselor. Up first, we have two presentations this evening regarding the 2027 budget. Uh first is the inner special public police department and Chief Talent Terry and Deb Hall. Welcome, Chief. Thank you, Chairman Robinson. My mic working okay? Yes, ma'am. Great. All right, I'm going to start with some uh introductory remarks before I uh get into the actual presentation, and then uh you'll hear from our CFO Deb Hall to my right with some details on the budget after I present an introductory uh presentation, and then you'll hear some additional comments from me before we go into questions. So, Chairman Robinson and members of the public safety and criminal justice committee, good evening, and thank you for the opportunity to speak with you this evening. I want to begin by sharing my deep gratitude for each of you for your support of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, and for the men and women who dedicate themselves to serving our city every single day. I also want to extend my sincere thanks to Mayor Hogsett for his leadership and for the budget proposal before you. This administration has demonstrated its support for IMPD year after year, and this proposed budget is yet another example of that. It's crucial to have a city that truly values, understands, and invests in its police department, especially when we know that law enforcement agencies across the country are facing challenges in recruiting and retaining their officers. This budget provides that assurance, backing words of support with meaningful action to ensure the men and women of IMPD have what they need to serve our community safely and effectively. I stood before you about seven months ago when I was sworn in as chief of this great police department. In that moment, I tried to capture what I was feeling in just three words. Honored, humbled, and grateful. Today those words still ring true, perhaps even more than before. I thought I understood what I was stepping into when I accepted the role of chief, but the past several months have shown me the reality in no ways that I can prepare for. Our community deserves full transparency, not opinions or rumors, but facts and real statistics. Don't just take someone's word for it, review the data, follow the trends, and see the facts.
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