IMPD sergeant talks staff shortages, street takeovers, evolving tactics at Crime Watch meeting

Indianapolis police analysts have been successful in helping curb what had been a growing problem in the IMPD North District near Eagle Nest: street takeovers.

The illegal car events, featuring large crowds, noise, burnouts and other activities, were a serious problem across the city two years ago, with crowds sometimes attacking police who tried to intervene. (Click here for a recent WTHR story on the topic.)

But since then Indy police have gotten better at tracking when the meets are planned, said Sgt. Mike Bragg (left), who spoke to residents at an Eagle Nest Crime Watch meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 4, at our Clubhouse.

The meeting, organized by our neighborhood Crime Watch coordinators Jason and Chris'e Van Meter, included grill-cooked hotdogs, snacks and other goodies for the residents and visiting officers. Along with Bragg, two officers from the Police Athletic League visited, along with a cadet trainee from Butler University and a deputy prosecutor from the Marion County Prosecutor's Office.

Bragg is a 27-year veteran of the department and former K9 handler of 10 years who was promoted to sergeant last year. When asked about street takeovers — a problem that previously plagued areas including Castleton — he offered an encouraging update:

"That's trending downward," he said, explaining that proactive intelligence, including social media monitoring, now helps disrupt gatherings before they start. 

“Our intel group, our analysts, are out there pretty quick to say, like, ‘Hey, they're planning this on this day.’ And then we have another group of officers who contact these organizers and basically say they're going to be watching for reckless driving and other violations.”

While pop-up events still happen occasionally, Bragg said they are far less prevalent than in past years.

Modern hazards and better training

Addressing whether policing has become more dangerous over his nearly three-decade career, Bragg acknowledged the rising hazards on the street, but pointed out that officer preparation has vastly improved since he joined the department at age 22.

“Our tactics and training have gotten much better,” he said. 
“When I first started, I went to the academy and they basically gave me a gun and a badge. So the training has definitely gotten better.”

In fact, just before arriving at the meeting, he completed three hours of defensive tactics training — part of an updated curriculum that he said began about five years ago to keep officers safe on shift.

The real impact of understaffing 

Bragg confirmed that IMPD remains seriously understaffed, operating roughly 400 people short of full capacity, with about 1,200 officers currently on the force.

That translates to fewer officers on a shift in some cases, which can affect response times and harm the relationship-building central to effective community policing.

“Back in the day I knew everyone in the area I worked. A good patrol officer knows everyone in their area — the good and the bad,” Bragg said. “And we're losing that because we are so short-handed. Officers don’t have time to get a chance to meet everyone or talk to some folks because they're rushing from one run to the next.”

In response, IMPD last year began a recruitment push called Join IMPD Week, giving potential recruits the chance to meet officers and learn about the job. 

New recruits can earn more than $74,000, with pay topping $95,000 by the third year of service. (More information at www.joinimpd.indy.gov) Applications to apply for the next IMPD recruit class will close Nov. 5 at 11:59 p.m.

The next Eagle Nest Crime Watch Meeting is at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 6, at the Clubhouse.

Story by Board Vice President and Tanager Court resident John Strauss.