Indiana

LET?S MAKE A DEAL

By Abdul Hakim-Shabazz

And they did.  Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard and Marion County Sheriff Frank Anderson announced a deal this afternoon over the future of the Metropolitan Police Department.   Under the agreement, Ballard will get operational control of IMPD.  However, in exchange for the department, Ballard agrees to consult with Anderson on several matters, including the selection of the public safety director as well as the Chief of Police.  Ultimately, the Mayor would have the final say on those hires.

The two also agree to not engage the State Legislature in altering the statutory power of the Sheriff, in other words they won’t use lawmakers to make sure IMPD stays under the Mayor or goes back to the Sheriff.

Anderson said it was time to put politics aside and do what was best for the taxpayers of Marion County.  Ballard said the transfer of IMPD was not a coup d’etat, but the passing of the baton by teammates.

The two agreed to work together to deal with Marion’s County crime problem.

The Public Safety Committee is meeting tonight to vote on the proposal.  It is expected to pass since Republicans have a majority on the Council.  A number of activists were expected to protest the transfer of power.  This agreement just might make those protests a moot point.

Note: The Public Safety Committee voted 6-2 to approve the transfer.  All Republicans and Democrat Vernon Brown voted for it. A full vote is expected at the next Council meeting.

Full post as published by Indiana Barrister on January 31, 2008 (boomark / email).