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Indiana Law Enforcement Reform (IGA Members) Template.docx
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To*copy & paste emails*:  jake.thompson@iga.in.gov; josh.defonce@iga.in.gov; jordan.wallace@iga.in.gov; wade.coggeshall@iga.in.gov; lydia.kirschner@iga.in.gov; jordan.wallace@iga.in.gov; samantha.holifield@iga.in.gov; erin.wittern@iga.in.gov; courtney.heiden@iga.in.gov; andrea.tenbarge@iga.in.gov; randy.spieth@iga.in.gov; andrea.tenbarge@iga.in.gov; josh.defonce@iga.in.gov; wade.coggeshall@iga.in.gov; h36@iga.in.gov; h95@iga.in.gov; h6@iga.in.gov; h19@iga.in.gov; h9@iga.in.gov; h26@iga.in.gov; h15@iga.in.gov; h7@iga.in.gov; h86@iga.in.gov; h8@iga.in.gov; h34@iga.in.gov; h71@iga.in.gov; h80@iga.in.gov; h66@iga.in.gov; h14@iga.in.gov; h94@iga.in.gov; h96@iga.in.gov; h43@iga.in.gov; h2@iga.in.gov; h3@iga.in.gov; h11@iga.in.gov; h36@iga.in.gov; josh.bain@iga.in.gov; h56@iga.in.gov; h74@iga.in.gov; s37@iga.in.gov; s34@iga.in.gov; s16@iga.in.gov; h58@iga.in.gov; s21@iga.in.gov; s15@iga.in.gov; h72@iga.in.gov; h12@iga.in.gov; s12@iga.in.gov; s18@iga.in.gov; s45@iga.in.gov; s32@iga.in.gov; h100@iga.in.gov; s32@iga.in.gov; s19@iga.in.gov; h85@iga.in.gov; s25@iga.in.gov; s35@iga.in.gov; s17@iga.in.gov; s41@iga.in.gov; s49@iga.in.gov; s20@iga.in.gov; s40@iga.in.gov; s4@iga.in.gov; s33@iga.in.gov; chris.baker@iga.in.gov; george.angelone@iga.in.gov; jason.barrett@iga.in.gov; whitney.bross@iga.in.gov; garrett.benedict@iga.in.gov; melissa.buddendeck@iga.in.gov;

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Re: Petition to reform Indiana Law Enforcement rules, regulations, requirements and academy curriculum

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   Petition: http://chng.it/7xdXksmx

Overview

Within an eight week timeframe, the United States of America witnessed the deaths of Dreasjon Reed, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and Ahmaud Arbery by the mishandling of law enforcement. As the daily reality of injustice for the Black community blazes across media platforms, the discourse of police brutality and lack of police accountability has taken the main stage. The reasoning for abuse of power is rooted in the lack of preparation and prestige. In response to IC 4-22-2, IC 5-2-1-1, IC 5-2-1-3, IC 5-2-1-4,  IC 5-2-1-11, IC 5-2-1-12.5, IC 5-2-20-3, and 250 IAC 2-5-1, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department rules and regulation handbook, and  ILEA sanctioned training guidelines, the people of Indiana demand a reformation of Indiana Law Enforcement rules, regulations, requirements, and academy curriculum. We request that the amendments begin no later than July 31, 2020.

Reform Indiana Law Enforcement Requirements

We, the people of Indiana, demand that the age requirement for Indiana Law Enforcement increases to twenty-five years of age. The human brain fully develops at the age of twenty-five, improving frontal lobe functionality such as emotions, impulse control, problem-solving, judgment, and more essential abilities for law enforcement professionals. We, the people of Indiana, request the requirements to omit language allowing any criminal record, not only federal or misdemeanor for domestic violence, for law enforcement candidates.   We, the people of Indiana, demand the educational requirement for Indiana Law Enforcement increase to a minimum associate degree with a minimum 2.75 gpa or a bachelor’s degree with a minimum 2.50 gpa from an accredited higher education institute.  

Reform Indiana Law Enforcement Rules and Regulations

We, the people of Indiana, demand that the Indiana Code add a mandatory rules and regulations section for Indiana Law Enforcement, improving statewide transparency and accountability. We, the people of Indiana, demand Indiana Code insert a statewide Police Officer Bill of Rights,  requiring all hearing sessions available for public records and access. We, the people of Indiana, demand Indiana Code include a statewide Statement of Rights, omitting language allowing investigation or statements without criminal actions, when information is found factual. We, the people of Indiana, demand all police powers be relinquished from law enforcement officers under suspension or on disciplinary leave. We, the people of Indiana, demand the Indiana Code add a statewide police accountability framework, encouraging see something, do something ideology, accompanied by a failure to do so. We, the people of Indiana, demand the Indiana Code add no tolerance for police brutality oaths. We, the people of Indiana, demand Indiana Code add a statewide disciplinary board including Indiana Law Enforcement captains and citizens of Indiana. We, the people of Indiana, demand demoted Indiana Law Enforcement officers no longer be considered for future promotions. We, the people of Indiana, demand a digital statewide public records database for suspended and discharged Indiana Law Enforcement officers. We, the people of Indiana, demand the Indiana Code, dissolve the current Indiana Law Enforcement Internal Affairs, and replace it with an external review board. We, the people of Indiana, demand Indiana Code reflect grounds for immediate dismissal of police powers, i.e. failure to use body cameras. We, the people of Indiana, demand no Indiana Law Enforcement office receive pay before completing the training and hired. We, the people of Indiana, demand the Indiana Code add a mandatory section requiring a minimum of forty hours of volunteer work.

Reform Indiana Law Enforcement Academy Curriculum

IC 5-2-1-9 outlines basic guidelines for law enforcement training schools. We, the people of Indiana, demand  Indiana Code, add the following mandatory standards for Indiana Law Enforcement academies:

We, the people of Indiana, demand the Indiana Law Enforcement Training Board maintain an equal balance of power, by adding three additional members of the public

History of Policing in America

When discussing today’s climate surrounding police brutality, it is important to evaluate the history of policing and it’s early development in the United States. The past often reflects our present and future shortcomings or mistakes.

After the Natives were killed on their land. After Africans were kidnapped from Africa. Policing in Colonial America began as a watch system among volunteers, following the English Anglo-Saxon laws. In April 1635 the city of Boston created a night watch, New York in 1658, and Philadelphia in 1700 as a response to tension growing from an influx of immigrant groups moving in from Germany, Ireland, Italy, and several Scandinavian countries. The Carolinas developed its “slave patrols” in 1704 with the duties of capturing runaway Black humans, knowingly with excessive force and brutality. These “slave patrols” were the first to be publicly funded police agencies in America.

When the American Civil War ended in 1865, Black humans were set free, therefore ending  “slave patrols”. Upset by their defeat, former “slave patrol” officers became members of the terrorist group Klu Klux Klan, lynching Black children and setting fire to Black homes.  In 1870, Constable Wyatt Outlaw, the first Black police officer was killed by the Klu Klux Klan, suspected his colleagues. The government has long supported the hatred for Black humans by creating the Jim Crow Laws in 1876, deny the Black population basic human rights. The Indiana Klan founded in Evansville, consumed thirty percent of native white born males, including the Indiana General Assembly and Governor Edward L. Jackson.  White supremacy is deeply engaged in Indiana laws, supporting the abuse of Black persons. “There is an epidemic of white supremacists in police departments,” Vida B. Johnson.

Today, the death of innocent Black lives have become the modern-day lynching, with the government’s continuous support. Indiana Law Enforcement has a duty to serve and protect its citizens, not continue the generations of harm towards Black persons.

Conclusion

The Indiana Code must serve the best interest of the people of Indiana.  Indiana Law Enforcement must increase vigor in education and restructure policies to better serve the community. We, the people of Indiana, demand true societal and systematic change today- not tomorrow.  We, the people of Indiana demand a reformation of Indiana Law Enforcement rules, regulations, requirements, and academy curriculum.

Say Their Names:

Emmett Till, Freddie Gray, Eric Garner, Walter Scott, Keith Scott, Terrence Crutcher, John Crawford III, Corey Jones, Philando Castile, Oscar Grant, Sean Bell, Tamir Rice, Michael Brown, Alton Sterling, Jordan Edwards, Stephon Clark, Botham Jean, Atatiana Jefferson, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd and Dreasjon Reed (and thousands more)

Indiana Petition Policy: https://faqs.in.gov/hc/en-us/articles/115005223488-How-do-I-file-a-petition-