IMPD seeks $358.6 million in 2026 budget; council clashes with administration over fleet, staffing and transparency

The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department presented its 2026 introduced budget to the Public Safety and Criminal Justice Committee, emphasizing recent crime‑reduction metrics, investment in technology and ongoing recruitment, while councilors and public speakers pressed the department and administration on fleet funding, staffing targets and data transparency.

Chief Randall Bailey opened the presentation by citing year‑to‑date and multi‑year trends he described as measurable reductions in violent and property crime. Bailey told the committee “murders in Indianapolis have fallen 50% since 2021” and said overall violent crime and property crime were both down year to date. He described the department’s gun‑violence reduction strategy — including the Crime Guns Task Force, the real‑time crime center and partnerships with public health and community organizations — as central to the department’s approach.

Chief Bailey and CFO Deb Hall presented the department’s introduced budget total of $358,586,352. They reported 1,409 sworn officers on staff versus an authorized strength of 1,743 (leaving several hundred vacancies) and said the budget assumes multiple recruit classes in 2026 (the department discussed plans for at least…