The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) has announced that a suspended officer, who is facing a recommendation for termination, has been formally charged by the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office with multiple criminal offenses. The charges include voyeurism, official misconduct, and making an unlawful proposition, following a criminal investigation conducted by the department's Special Investigations Unit (SIU).
On September 10, 2024, an IMPD officer discovered a flash drive in a department pool car. To identify its owner, the officer connected the flash drive to their department-issued laptop. Upon doing so, the officer reported finding a video showing then Officer Shane Decker, in full uniform, engaging in sexual intercourse with a female.
The discovery prompted the officer to report the incident to supervisors. The SIU was assigned to investigate. Detectives secured a search warrant to examine the flash drive for evidence of a crime. Upon review, additional videos were discovered. All of the videos appeared to have been recorded without the knowledge or consent of the victims involved. Investigators concluded that a recording device had been set up in advance of the women entering the room in each of the incidents. Further investigation revealed that Decker used his department-issued laptop to record at least three of the videos.
On September 10, 2024, Chief Bailey placed Decker on administrative duty with no law enforcement authority or police equipment while the criminal investigation continued.
Throughout September, October, and November, SIU investigators served several search warrants, including at Decker’s home and on his electronic devices. In addition, detectives worked to identify the victims, so they could be interviewed, gathered specifics of when and where the incidents occurred, and reviewed the digital forensic reports from the devices seized.
"The allegations uncovered in this investigation represent a clear violation of public trust and are completely unacceptable. This behavior has no place in our society," said Chief Chris Bailey.
"My heart goes out to the victims of this inexcusable misconduct, and I want to assure them that their voices have been heard. I commend the courage and strength of those who came forward to help ensure accountability," he added.
On November 15, 2024, IMPD SIU detectives presented the findings of their investigation to the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office for a charging decision.
Based upon the totality of both the criminal and administrative investigation, on November 20, 2024, IMPD Chief Chris Bailey suspended Decker with a recommendation of termination by the IMPD Civilian Police Merit Board.
On November 22, 2024, the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office filed criminal charges on Decker for three counts of level six felony voyeurism, two counts of level six felony official misconduct, two counts of misdemeanor public voyeurism and one count of making an unlawful proposition related to his alleged criminal activity at a massage parlor in Marion County, a misdemeanor.
Decker was a 25-year-veteran of IMPD and was most recently assigned to Southwest District before he was recommended for termination.
Decker, as with any person arrested, should be considered innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
