INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department has seen a significant increase in assaults on its officers with a firearm over the past six years, according to new data released by IMPD Wednesday.
On average, 708 IMPD officers are assaulted each year, a number that has been consistent in recent years, with the largest spike coming in 2012.
What's more alarming is the recent rise in assaults with the use of a firearm on IMPD officers.
IMPD records show the number of officers assaulted by a firearm has increased each of the past six years; with 5 in 2009 jumping to 37 officers in 2015.
IMPD also released data on officer-involved shootings over the past four years, which have been under more scrutiny since the Ferguson, Missouri shooting of Michael Brown in 2014.
Of the 60 incidents since 2013, 16 officers were injured in those shootings, including two fatally.
“We have to be aware, is this new normal? It may be for a while in this city and maybe in the nation," Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Chief Troy Riggs said at a press conference Wednesday.
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Chief Riggs said that shooting and the most recent one at the district headquarters Tuesday evening have crossed a line.
"We have to be concerned about (these shootings). Don’t underestimate and don’t just focus on the act of violence against a police officer and against a building that houses police officers and civilian employees,” said Chief Riggs. “If an individual is that angry and that violent, what kind of havoc are they causing in this community?”
You can watch the full media briefing from IMPD and Mayor Joe Hogsett about the shots fired at IMPD Headquarters Tuesday evening below.
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