Indianapolis is considering spending almost $5m on upgrades for its police department.
The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) is about to put 155 new police officers on the streets, and needs to upgrade the equipment they will be using. The Fraternal Order of Police describes the need for the money for the upgrades as “desperate”, though the request has not yet been approved.
The request, titled Proposal 47, is intended to improve the police academy, upgrade the police department’s firing range, and buy 75 new police cruisers. In an interview, Rick Snyder, the president of the Fraternal Order of Police, said the city needs to keep its law enforcement officers safe, and the funds will do so.
Snyder’s biggest worry is the city's worn out police cars. He said some of the vehicles were in bad shape, with more than 150,000 miles on the odometer. He also revealed that he does not believe 75 new cars are enough, but it is a step in the right direction. Snyder would like to see a replacement cycle introduced, so that officers always have up-to-date squad cars.
He also noted the firing range has not been improved in 20 years, and that training courses are inadequate, particularly in training officers to avoid using lethal force.
Police department officials might consider working with a flyer printing company on a mailer for the city's residents, explaining that the department will offer better protection with the upgrades in place.
