New Indianapolis Police Chief Addresses Viral Officer Threatening Video

Before the newly appointed Indianapolis police chief was in position long enough to attend her confirmation hearing, Tanya Terry had a major controversy on her hands: the viral video of a Feb. 6 traffic stop in which an Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officer threatened to kill a 17-year-old driver.

“I’m going to kill you,” an officer said as he pulled the teenager out of his car. Police eventually recovered a handgun and some marijuana from a passenger, but the driver under threat had no restrictions on his possession.

Although the department released a statement in response to the video on February 6, Terry addressed it in person for the first time before the City-County Council’s Public Safety Committee on February 11.

“Let me be clear: the words used in that incident were unacceptable,” Terry told the 13-member panel. “…context is important, but it doesn’t take away from the impact of those words.”

Tanya Terry, IMPD’s first female chief, was sworn in as the new chief on February 2. He was recommended for confirmation with a vote by the Public Safety and Criminal Justice Committee on Feb. 11, a decision likely to be made official without further discussion at the full council’s March 2 meeting.

The Public Safety Committee, which meets in traveling neighborhoods, convened on Feb. 11 at the former New Direction Church, about 15 minutes from the site of the filmed traffic stop.

The video, Terry said, did not capture the entire interaction, including the “de-escalation efforts” that occurred before and after filming began.

IndyStar’s request for body-worn camera footage is pending.

“Two things can be true at the same time. The statement used was not acceptable, and it is also unacceptable for children to be in possession of a firearm,” Terry said. “Holding officers accountable doesn’t mean we ignore the very real dangers that illegal guns pose in our communities.”

An internal investigation is ongoing, and the officer who made the threat has not been publicly identified.

Prominent civil rights attorney Lee Merritt, representing Trevion Taylor, is handling the case.

Terry weighs in on immigration, his vision

The rest of Terry’s conversation with council members included his plans for community involvement as the department’s leader, his approach to hiring and officer morale. IMPD’s new strategic plan will be released next week, he added.

Before closing, Terry said she wanted to discuss another issue that plagues communities’ relationships with law enforcement nationwide.

The department’s stance on immigration enforcement has not changed, and IMPD has no contracts with federal agencies to conduct immigration enforcement.

“Our mission is local public safety and that means protecting everyone in our city,” Terry said.

When the floor was opened for public comment, some audience members rose to voice their unwavering support for the new chief.

“As we heard today, when concerns were raised about officers’ conduct or traffic stops, he addressed them directly. That shows a commitment to accountability and professional standards, which is what we need in our city,” said Howellville business owner Aaron Williams.

The council voted unanimously to recommend Terry. A confirmation hearing will be held on March 2 before the full city-county council.

Ryan Murphy is a community reporter for IndyStar. He can be reached at rhmurphy@indystar.com.

This article originally appeared in the Indianapolis Star: New police chief Tanya Terry addresses viral traffic stop video