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Indianapolis, IN – Today, Mayor Joe Hogsett and Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) Chief Chris Bailey came together to announce the ongoing installation of in-car camera systems across the department’s fleet. This is a significant step towards enhancing transparency, accountability, and safety for both officers and residents. 

“The City of Indianapolis is proud to have invested in this new technology for our police department, as it demonstrates our commitment to both the future of our city and the safety of our neighbors,” said Mayor Joe Hogsett. “These cameras will help us to strengthen the trust between our residents and officers and, ultimately, move us closer to achieving our shared goal: keeping this city safe.” 

In the 2024 IMPD budget, $591,000 was allocated per year to enhance the body-worn camera and in-car camera program. Part of that includes the purchase and installation of 700 in-car camera systems. 

"We want to thank the City-County Council for approving the funding for these vital tools, which promote transparency and will ensure the safety of both our officers and the residents we serve. They provide an objective record of interactions, helping to build trust within our community and protect the rights of all involved,” said Chief Bailey. 

The installation process began in July 2024. Many vehicles in IMPD’s fleet were pre-wired for these cameras, particularly those issued mid-2021, making the installation process swift and efficient. Older vehicles require additional wiring which may extend installation times. 

Each marked police vehicle will be equipped with two in-car cameras: 

• Forward-Facing Camera: Captures a limited portion of what is visible through the front windshield, providing a view of the officer's perspective. 

• Interior Backseat Camera: Focuses on the backseat, documenting the actions and behaviors of individuals in the backseat of the vehicle. 

Key features include the following: 

• Standby Mode: Cameras are always in a standby state, ready to record. 

• Activation: Video and audio recording can be activated manually, by lights/sirens, computer-aided dispatch (CAD), or holster sensors 

• Video Recording: Includes 30 second pre-record feature, ensuring critical moments are documented. 

The total investment included the purchase of 1,400 cameras to outfit 700 vehicles. This will supplement the 25 IMPD vehicles and eight transport vans which were already equipped with in-car cameras. The initial rollout prioritizes traffic and district cars, which have the highest interaction rates with the community. 

IMPD previously rolled out Body-Worn Cameras (BWC) to officers in 2020 with the intention to expand the technology to patrol vehicles at a later date. In-car cameras offer an additional set of eyes and ears, providing direct evidence of officers' actions and the situations they encounter. This additional perspective enhances transparency and safety, showing the realities of what officers are faced with everyday and serving as valuable training material for new recruits and veteran officers. 

In-car camera footage is also a powerful tool in court, offering a reliable perspective that can help clarify events and act as a digital witness. 

IMPD remains committed to leveraging technology to foster trust, enhance public safety, and ensure our officers are well-equipped to serve the community effectively.