A veteran police sergeant in Indianapolis is facing charges related to child exploitation after an investigation conducted by a unit focused on internet crimes against children. The officer, with 12 years of service at the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, was taken into custody on Monday as confirmed by a department statement.
The officer’s identity is being withheld by The Associated Press as formal charges from prosecutors are pending. Their most recent assignment was in the internal affairs unit of the department.
The investigation was initiated on August 6 following a cyber tip provided by The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, an organization that alerts law enforcement to the presence of material depicting the sexual exploitation of children online.
A digital address linked to the officer’s personal home router, using the same name as the sergeant, was identified during the investigation. Further evidence obtained through search warrants solidified the connection to the Indianapolis officer, according to the police.
Upon the arrest, Police Chief Chris Bailey suspended the sergeant with a recommendation for termination to be presented to the department’s Civilian Police Merit Board.
Expressing deep concern, Bailey stated, “I am profoundly shocked and disturbed by the allegations involving an IMPD officer. His alleged actions constitute a betrayal of the sacred oath we take to protect and serve our community.”
