The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department has been born

[Terminator]

Indianapolis' transition to a consolidated metropolitan police force went relatively smoothly on Thursday morning, the first unofficial day of the merger between the Indianapolis Police Department and Marion County Sheriff's Department.

Although the merger doesn't officially happen until Jan. 1, officials wanted to begin the transition a few days ahead of time to iron out any remaining kinks, 6News' Jack Rinehart reported.


A major concern in the consolidation process was how two very different departments, both more than 100 years old, would mesh.

The switch was made at 5:30 a.m. with the first roll call for the new Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department. IPD officers were still clad in blue and sheriff's deputies were wearing brown. Officers have been issued their new gray uniforms, but will wait until Jan. 1 to begin wearing them. All officers now use the same radio system, too.

Mayor Bart Peterson's office said that a consolidated department will save taxpayers $9 million a year, put more officers on the streets and lead to better law enforcement.

Some, including members of the law enforcement community, said Peterson's claims are, for now, unproven.

"The only way it can work is for officers to be able to go out and do their job and do their job properly and professionally, the way they always have," said Fraternal Order of Police President Aaron Sullivan. "What we hope doesn't get in the way is all the administrative problems that come with the merger."


Officers learned new methods and took on new policing districts on the first day of the merged department. Officers have much to learn about each other as they try to blend the cultures of two departments.

"Everybody starts off with a clean slate. I have not looked into one person's file as to awards you've received or the discipline you've received. Give me that same shot," Maj. William Benjamin told officers at roll call.

Several vehicles with the new black and gray look are already on the street, but some cruisers still have the old look of their respective departments.

Officials hope the transition is something that won't even be noticeable to the public.

"The biggest challenges for us are the things that the public doesn't see," said IMPD Maj. Paul Ciesielski. "Building-wise ... we're still hooking up phones and computers, so all that stuff will not be 100 percent operational, but the officers themselves will be 100 percent ready to go."

[Star Man]

I wish we would go metro here too. We have some 12 or so different departments in my county.

[So Fla Cop]

Any pics of the new paint jobs?

[Jackalope]

Is the new department going to be headed by an elected sheriff, or an appointed chief?

I think law enforcement works better when the HMFIC is directly accountable to the citizens, and not to some idiot politicians that know nothing about law enforcement.

[Star Man]

Is the new department going to be headed by an elected sheriff, or an appointed chief?

I think law enforcement works better when the HMFIC is directly accountable to the citizens, and not to some idiot politicians that know nothing about law enforcement.

+1

[Tennsix]

Is the new department going to be headed by an elected sheriff, or an appointed chief?

I think law enforcement works better when the HMFIC is directly accountable to the citizens, and not to some idiot politicians that know nothing about law enforcement.

The appointed police chief reports to the elected Sheriff. In this case, the Sheriif is a career LEO. He served with the Marion County Sheriff's Department before being appointed U.S. Marshal for Indiana's southern district.

[Tennsix]

Any pics of the new paint jobs?

http://policemerger.indygov.org/story/2/?as