Straub: Reform of cop standards moving forward
4.7.11

INDIANAPOLIS STAR

Public safety officials told a City-County Council commission Wednesday that changes meant to improve Indianapolis police officers' training and integrity standards are already being implemented.
Public Safety Director Frank Straub said that beyond providing training for core police skills, "We have failed our officers miserably . . . We haven't prepared them to be problem solvers and thinkers."
The council created the Law Enforcement Study Commission last fall in the wake of an incident involving Indianapolis police officer David Bisard. Bisard is accused of driving drunk before crashing his squad car into a group of motorcyclists in August, killing one, and city officials have admitted to failures in the initial investigation.
The Department of Public Safety had begun formulating some changes, including new performance evaluations, before that incident. But the case sparked intense calls for reform.
Straub was joined by Deputy Chief Valerie Cunningham, who oversees the Professional Standards Division, and Maj. Joe Finch, from the training division.
They outlined efforts to expand the scope of recruiting, screening and training; to improve reviews of officers' performance and address potential problems before incidents occur; and to develop leadership training.
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