Neighbors, trust and transparency: A conversation with IMPD Chief Tanya Terry

Police have new tools and technology to promote public safety, but the best crime-fighting force is closer than many people realize — maybe even next door, the new chief of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department said.

Tanya Terry (shown at right), a 27-year law enforcement veteran and graduate of Warren Central High School and the former IUPUI, was sworn in as chief of the department last month. She previously was deputy chief of operations after stints as a patrol officer, a North District detective and founding member of the Street Level Enforcement Detail and the Violent Crimes Unit.

On March 27, she joined a dozen officers and newly named North District Commander Corey Mims at Fire & Ice Cafe for a “Coffee with a Cop” session with the public. The coffee shop at 62^nd Street and Allisonville Road is near Terry’s neighborhood, and the importance of strong local connections was on her mind.

Eagle Nest Board member and blog contributor John Strauss was there to talk to Terry and engage with police district leaders.

In her own neighborhood, residents text or call one another when something seems unusual — “Hey, I see activity at your house. Is everything OK?” That kind of communication creates a quiet but powerful safety net.

“It takes all of us,” she said. “Public safety is a shared responsibility.”

And that responsibility goes beyond crime. Terry reframed the idea of “Crime Watch” into something broader: “neighborhood watch.” It’s about connection, awareness, and mutual support — not just reacting to danger but building a community where people notice and care.

When to call 911 — and when not to

One of the most common questions police hear, Terry said, is about when to call 911 versus a non-emergency line. The distinction matters — not just for efficiency, but for community trust.

Crimes in progress or immediate safety concerns should be reported via 911. Crimes such as theft and vandalism, where there is no suspect identified, can be reported via the department's new online system.  There is also a non-emergency number, 317-327-3811, for questions.

Seeing someone unfamiliar walking down your street, for example, isn’t necessarily a reason to call 911, the chief said. “People are allowed to walk down a sidewalk,” she noted. But if someone is actively trying door handles or checking car locks, that’s different. That’s when it’s appropriate to call 911 and let officers investigate.

Just as important: Residents should resist the urge to confront someone themselves. “We certainly don’t encourage people to confront people on their own,” Terry said. The safer approach is to observe and report, she said.

Neighborhoods sometimes request extra patrols, Terry said.
“It doesn't hurt to ask. Reach out to your local district, and if you have something specific going on, some specific concerns, it's important that you share that with your local district.”

Residents can contact the North District at 317-327-6100, IMPD.ND@indy.gov, through its website, and can also get information from its Facebook page.

“You can call us and share your concerns, and we are happy to use discretionary time to provide extra patrols whenever we can,” Terry said.

A new transparency portal

The department has made a point of promoting public openness. IMPD recently launched a new public-facing transparency hub designed to give residents better insight into what’s happening across the city.

Residents can explore crime trends, learn what’s happening in their neighborhoods, and understand how to report concerns. It’s a step toward demystifying policing — giving the public clearer access to data and decision-making.

“The community deserves to know what’s going on,” Terry said. “And part of earning trust is through transparency and communication.”
For a department working to strengthen relationships, that openness is more than a feature—it’s a strategy.

Supporting officers, strengthening communities

Recruiting new officers remains a challenge, but retention is just as critical, the chief said. IMPD is focused on making sure officers feel supported, trained, and valued — both internally and by the community.

That support includes expanded wellness programs addressing both physical and mental health, as well as new technologies like body-worn cameras that enhance safety and accountability.

“There are a lot more supports in place today,” she said, noting that policing has evolved in meaningful ways over the past decade.

For young people considering a career in law enforcement, Terry encourages early engagement. IMPD offers cadet programs, community events, and youth initiatives like the Police Athletic League — opportunities to learn, connect, and explore.

Her advice goes beyond career planning: Young people should seek guidance from trusted adults, think carefully about choices, and understand that decisions made early in life can have long-term consequences.

A shared path forward

In the end, the message from the coffee shop conversations was simple: Safe neighborhoods aren’t built by policy alone. They’re built by people — neighbors who pay attention, who check in, and look out for one another.

And increasingly, with tools like the transparency portal, they’re built in partnership with a police department working to be more open, responsive, and connected.

Story by Eagle Nest Board member and blog contributor John Strauss. Do you have neighborhood story ideas for John? Contact him at johncstrauss@gmail.com.