INDIANAPOLIS -- As the number of homicides in Indianapolis continues to rise - so does the caseload for the investigators working them. That's why the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department is making a change to their units so that homicide investigators can focus on what's most important: solving the crime.
Since July, statistics compiled by Call 6 Investigates show that a murder has happened on average almost every other day in Indianapolis.
Currently, homicide detectives are not only tasked with trying to solve the city's murders, but also investigating robberies as they pop up across the city.
MAP | 2017 Indy homicides
But with the city's homicide rate and the number of unsolved cases going up, IMPD is making changes and splitting the two units so homicide detectives can have more time to focus on solving homicides.
The homicide branch is also being combined with the aggravated assault detectives who are tasked with investigating non-fatal shootings.
"You know the difference between a homicide and a non-fatal shooting is where the bullet lands," said Deputy Chief Bailey.
Deputy Chief Bailey says its much more than just making an arrest - their focus right now is on convictions - and those don't happen overnight. Detectives are working to make sure they have everything they need to prosecute suspects first.
READ | 23 murders in 31 dayspushesIndy toward homicide record, again
"That's why we're working so closely with the Marion County Prosecutor's Office to make sure cases are good and solid so we get the ultimate goal - which is a conviction - because if we take them on and the case isn't very good and they go to trial with it and we lose then you can never retry that person for the crime," said IMPD Deputy Chief Chris Bailey.
Bailey says one of the biggest things holding his detectives back is that lack of cooperation from the community. He says they can't solve crimes without the community members coming forward with what they know.
Investigators say - that, alone - would help police solve more cases.
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