INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis' top cop is set to retire at the end of the year.
Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Chief Bryan Roach will retire at the end of the year, according to a news release from Mayor Joe Hogsett's office.
Roach, a 28-year veteran, has served as chief since Hogsett appointed him chief in January 2017.
"Chief Roach has proven to be a deliberate and dedicated leader throughout his nearly three decades with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, driven to make our city safer for all residents by working collaboratively, addressing the root causes of crime and leading his officers through a return to a community-focuses policing model," Hogsett said in a statement. "I want to thank Bryan for his steadfast service to the people of Indianapolis, and wish him incredible happiness in his retirement."
According to a statement from Roach released by IMPD, Roach has accepted a job outside of the police department and city government.
"It has been an honor to have been a member of the IMPD, and I appreciate the opportunity afforded me these last three years by Mayor Hogsett to lead the deparment as Chief of Police," Roach said in a statement. "I am grateful and humbled to have led this organization and its members. IMPD has some of the best and brightest men and women working across both the civilian and sworn ranks. The care, concern, and kindness they show daily for the citizens of Indianapolis, both publicly and privately, have been and will continue to be an inspiration to me."
Here is Chief Roach's full statement:
After almost 29 years of service to the city that I love, today is bittersweet as I announce my retirement from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department. The start of the new year will begin a new chapter for my family, as I have accepted a job outside of the police department and city government.
It has been an honor to have been a member of the IMPD, and I appreciate the opportunity afforded me these last three years by Mayor Hogsett to lead the department as Chief of Police. I am grateful and humbled to have led this organization and its members. IMPD has some of the best and brightest men and women working across both the civilian and sworn ranks. The care, concern, and kindness they show daily for the citizens of Indianapolis, both publicly and privately, have been and will continue to be an inspiration to me.
The citizens of Indianapolis have always been invested in and supportive of their police department. The impact of this support has been immeasurable in my life and career, and I cannot begin to thank you all enough. Your kind words, deeds, and advice allowed me to be a better Chief.
I would also like to publicly thank my wife, Marie, and my three children for their unwavering support and sacrifice as I looked after the needs of others, often at their expense. Their love has sustained me in both the good and bad times.
I will always be proud to be counted as a member of this great organization, and I will continue to do my part to make Indianapolis a better and safer community. Thank you for allowing me to serve our great city and for the pleasure of serving alongside Indianapolis’ finest.
According to the city's statement, Roach's tenure as chief has been marked by an emphasis on criminal justice reform and a community-focused, grassroots public safety strategy. During his three years at the helm, the department returned to citywide beat policing and created the Mobile Crisis Assistance Team focused on treating, rather than jailing, individuals suffering from mental health issues.
Roach also oversaw the launch of the Crime Gun Intelligence Center that works across federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to identify serial shooters for investigation and prosecution.
According to the news release, Roach has held every rank, merit and appointed, within the police department. He started his career in 1991 as a patrol officer in the North District before rising through the ranks as a narcotics detective, sergeant, and supervisor of the North District Neighborhood Resource Unit. In 2005, Roach was promoted to lieutenant, received a promotion to major in 2006 and in 2008 received the merit rank of captain.
Prior to being named chief of police, Roach was named assistant chief of administration for IMPD and served on the mayor's Criminal Justice Reform Task Force, working to identify opportunties for systemic change within the criminal justice system.
