INDIANAPOLIS — Recently, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) Chief Christopher Bailey made the final four appointments to round out his command staff. These changes come after Bailey was named Chief of Police. In addition, a new bureau within IMPD was announced.
The new Operations Support Bureau will integrate mental health considerations into law enforcement practices, promote collaboration, and enhance community-oriented policing efforts. While the Operations Support Bureau will not be solely dedicated to responding to mental health incidents, it will serve as a centralized hub for mental health resources and units, including the Mobile Crisis Assistance Team (MCAT) and the Homeless Outreach Unit, and act as a liaison between the Clinician-Led Community Response Team (CLCR), the Office of Public Health and Safety (OPHS), and other mental health providers. The goal is to efficiently respond to and prioritize mental health incidents by consolidating resources and fostering collaboration. Lieutenant Tabatha McLemore was appointed to Operational Support Bureau, Major.
Other appointment included Nikole Pilkington who was appointed to Commander of Southwest District, and Lieutenant Jeffrey Silcox was appointed to Commander of the Training Academy.
Major Michael Leepper was appointed to Commander of East District. Commander Michael Leepper is a 19-year veteran of the IMPD. Prior to his appointment to the rank of Commander, he served as the Executive Officer to the Chief of Police and as a Major overseeing the department’s Nightwatch program. During his career with IMPD, Cmdr. Leepper served 10 years as a patrol and field training officer in operations on East District middle, late and late tact shifts as well as on the Crime Reduction Team and Downtown District Foot and Bike Unit.
