Use of deadly force policy changes statewide

INDIANAPOLIS – Starting July 1, a handful of new laws went into effect in Indiana.

This includes an update to deadly force policies for law enforcement.

For the last 1.5 years, the Law Enforcement Training Board has been working to create a uniform policy for all agencies in the state to follow when it comes to the use of deadly force.

The board is made up of more than 20 people, coming from all walks of life.

The Indiana General Assembly tasked them with streamlining the policy in 2022.

“The idea was to create a standard for police officers across the state, so those in Lake County were performing the same as those in Vanderburgh County,” said Timothy Horty, the executive director for the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy.

An officer is allowed to use deadly force in Indiana when there is probable cause to believe there is an imminent threat to a citizen or themselves.

Under the old law, each agency had their own variation of what an officer would deem an acceptable situation for the use of deadly force.

Now, justification will be based on national case law across the board.

“The new law that is in effect makes the use of force in alignment with what’s used nationally, which, as I understand it, coming in alignment with Graham v Connor 1989,” said Pastor James Jackson with Fervent Prayer.

Jackson was on the Police Merit Board for four years.

One tactic some agencies used to allow and others did not is the use of chokeholds.

The Indiana Law Enforcement Academy understands there are differing opinions on whether choking is appropriate or not.

“In a deadly force, when there’s substantial risk of serious bodily injury to a citizen or to a police officer, then frankly, all bets are off and any tactic is appropriate and authorized in the state of Indiana,” said Horty.

This policy will be taught to new recruits and current officers so there is full understanding when in the field.

“I think it’s a living breathing policy, and so as new Supreme Court cases come down the pike, new state laws, new Indiana case law, of course, we would alter it if need be,” added Horty.

The full policy is below.

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