INDIANAPOLIS — More than two months ahead of schedule, Public Safety Director Troy Riggs announced the first recommendations for the Department of Public Safety from the Police Morale Efficiency Team. Initial recommendations were not expected until June 1, but Riggs calls for immediate implementation of the first round of recommendations.
Increased communication between officers and Office of the Chief are among the first recommendations. Chief of Police Rick Hite will connect regularly with the rank and file of the police department to establish a stream of communication with all officers and civilians within the department.
DPS also aims to raise police morale by applying additional funds to the Fallen Officer Legacy Project. The Fallen Officers Legacy Project has been established to place a commemorative plaque at the incident locations within our community where officers have died in the line of duty. Project organizers have already identified 118 markers needing placement throughout Marion County. Each marker costs approximately $30.
In addition, markers will also be placed at incident locations for fallen firefighters and EMS workers. “IFD is proud to participate in this project. It’s important that we honor the men and women who proudly served this department”, said IFD Chief Brian Sanford. Indianapolis Professional Firefighters Local 416 and the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #86 have all pledged infrastructure support.