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INDIANAPOLIS – Today, 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 and identified the leadership team he believes is needed to most effectively and efficiently move the department forward. 

“With the appointment of these final four individuals, we have assembled a team poised to lead us into the future with commitment and vision,” said Chief Bailey. “As we move forward under this new leadership, we remain committed to better serving our community, embracing national best practices, and actively engaging with our community.” 

Chief Bailey's command staff is one of the most diverse in IMPD's history. Inclusive of the chief, this command staff is made up of 35% Black and 30% female leaders. 

Operations Support Bureau 

The Operations Support Bureau aims to integrate mental health considerations into law enforcement practices, promote collaboration, and enhance community-oriented policing efforts. The new bureau is the next step in IMPD’s efforts to modernize operations and adapt to the changing landscape of law enforcement. 

The Operations Support Bureau will play a crucial role in coordinating resources and collaborating with mental health entities in Indianapolis to address the evolving needs and expectations of the community in the area of mental health. 

"As we adapt to the evolving landscape of law enforcement, IMPD remains committed to meeting the needs of our community, particularly when it comes to mental health. The creation of the Operations Support Bureau signifies our proactive approach to addressing these critical issues,” said Chief Bailey. 

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. It will oversee various 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. 

“We’re pleased to see this next step in IMPD’s efforts to align policing operations with evolving needs of our community. This new bureau will enable even better coordination with CLCR, MCAT and all of the mental health providers in the community,” said Romy Bernard-Tucker, Director of OPHS. 

This bureau will be run by a Major, dedicating a command-level leader to IMPD's mental health efforts with the authority to drive innovation and evaluate global and local best practices. This also ensures that decision-makers remain attuned to the needs and concerns of individuals and families impacted by mental illness in our community. 

The Operations Support Bureau will additionally have oversight over the Indianapolis Park Rangers, Public Safety Officers, and Public Assistance Officers. These teams play essential roles in citywide efforts to reduce crime and provide timely, professional police services tailored to the community's needs.  

Lieutenant Tabatha McLemore Appointed to Operational Support Bureau, Major 

Major Tabatha McLemore is a 21-year veteran of the IMPD, beginning her law enforcement career back in 2003. She started her career on East Late Tact shift, gaining valuable experience before focusing on Vice and Human Trafficking, where she worked undercover for eight years.  

Major McLemore was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2016. In this role, she managed the Downtown General Detectives and Homeless Unit, displaying leadership and organizational skills.  

In February 2021, Major McLemore was promoted to Lieutenant, which expanded her responsibilities significantly, and allowed her to oversee several critical units such as the Homeless Unit, Downtown General Detectives, Downtown Violent Crimes Task Force (VCTF), and Bikes. Her leadership extended further when she assumed control of the Mobile Crisis Assistance Team (MCAT) in November 2021, managing both MCAT and the Homeless Unit throughout the city. 

Major McLemore had the honor of participating in the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) panel on Homelessness and Law Enforcement in Washington, D.C. Her insights and experiences provided valuable perspectives on this complex issue. Moreover, she was invited to speak at the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) National Research Conference, further highlighting her expertise and leadership in the field of law enforcement. 

Beyond these national engagements, Major McLemore plays an active role in local initiatives. She currently serves as the Vice Chair on the Sandra Eskenazi Mental Health Center (SEMHC) Advisory Board, demonstrating her commitment to addressing mental health concerns within the community. Additionally, she contributes her expertise to the Indianapolis Airport Public Safety Advisory Group, where her insights help ensure the safety and security of travelers and airport personnel. 

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Major McLemore finds fulfillment in her family life. She shares her life with her husband, K9 Sergeant Anthony McLemore, and their three daughters, along with the joy of being a grandmother. As dedicated as she is to her career, she prioritizes quality time with her loved ones, cherishing every moment spent together. 

Nikole Pilkington Appointed to Commander of Southwest District 

Commander Pilkington joined the IMPD as part of the 4th IMPD Recruit Class in April of 2008. Upon completion of the FTO program, she was assigned to North District. She began as a patrol officer on the North District day shift as well as late shift.  She served in that role until 2016. During her tenure, she also worked as a Community Relations Officer.   

In 2016, Commander Pilkington transitioned to Investigations and was initially assigned to the Missing Persons Unit. In 2017, Commander Pilkington served as the Executive Officer to the Deputy Chief of Investigations. In 2018, Pilkington was promoted to Sergeant and assigned to the Training Academy as the In-Service Coordinator, where she oversaw in-service training and the Indiana Data and Communications System (IDACS). Pilkington transitioned from in-service to Recruit Training in 2021. Upon her promotion to Lieutenant in 2023, she was charged with leading the Firearms Training Unit. 

Commander Pilkington is a graduate of the 2015 Leadership Academy, is an Indiana Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) certified instructor, as well as a certified instructor for Fair & And Impartial Policing and ABLE (Active Bystandership for Law Enforcement). 

Commander Pilkington has served as a Team Leader for the Police Officer Support Team (POST), served on two contract teams, as well as served on the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) executive board. Pilkington was a four-year basketball player at Ball State University, where she obtained her bachelor's degree in criminal justice. In addition, Commander Pilkington served as a Juvenile Probation Officer in Marion County for nine years. 

Commander Pilkington is married and has a son and stepdaughter. 

Lieutenant Jeffrey Silcox Appointed to Commander of the Training Academy

Commander Jeffrey Silcox is a 26-year veteran of law enforcement, graduating the police academy at Indiana University in 1997. During his nearly 25-year tenure with IMPD, Commander Silcox has served in many roles and distinguished himself time and again as a strong and trusted leader. Before being promoted to sergeant in 2005, he worked as a uniformed officer and Field Training Officer. In 2005, Commander Silcox received the Medal of Valor.  In his 16 years as a sergeant, Commander Silcox served as a street supervisor, a Field Training Officer Specialist, a Detective Sergeant, and thrived in multiple roles at the IMPD Training Academy. In 2021, Commander Silcox was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant where he served as the in-service unit supervisor and also provided oversight of the IMPD Leadership Academy. Commander Silcox has been an instructor for 20 years and maintains instructor certifications in Advanced Emergency Vehicle Operations and Defensive Tactics, which includes his Ground Fighting certificate. 

Commander Silcox received his undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice from Indiana University Bloomington in May 1998. He will graduate from the FBI National Academy with a master’s certificate from the University of Virginia in March. He is also a graduate of the very first IMPD Leadership Academy class 2010-01. He has been married for over 23 years to his wife and has three children.   

Major Michael Leepper 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. 

As a Sergeant, Cmdr. Leepper served on Southeast District late shift and at the IMPD Training Academy, overseeing recruit training and the physical fitness program. Upon promotion to lieutenant, Cmdr. Leepper served as the East District late shift lieutenant, Training Academy lieutenant overseeing all of the recruit training, and East District middle shift lieutenant. Cmdr. Leepper was promoted to captain in June 2021 and served in that role on both Southwest and East Districts. He was appointed as Nightwatch Major by the Chief of Police in September 2022. 

Aside from his extensive experience at every merit rank in operations, Cmdr. Leepper has served on the IMPD Honor Guard, Hostage/Crisis Negotiator Unit, Event Response Group, Police Officer Support Team, and as a member of the IMPD Mentor Program. Cmdr. Leepper has been awarded the Medal of Valor, Medal of Bravery, East District Officer of the Year, Downtown District Officer of the Year, and Supervisor of the Year.  Cmdr. Leepper is a graduate of FBI National Academy Session 283, Senior Management Institute for Police Session 83, and IMPD Leadership Academy class 2013-01.  

Cmdr. Leepper obtained his associate degree in law enforcement from Vincennes University and his bachelor's degree from Indiana University, where he previously served as a part-time police officer prior to his employment with IMPD. Cmdr. Leepper also currently serves as an Infantry Officer in the Indiana Army National Guard and has been with his husband, Dane, for 15 years. 

Please join us in congratulating all of these leaders on their new appointments. A private ceremony will be held at a later date. 

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