IMPD joins Ohio State University research team to improve police leadership practices

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department is joining the two other police agencies in the Great Lakes region for a three-year project run by the Ohio State University to improve how police are internally managed.

The announcement for IMPD to work with Ohio State’s John Glenn College of Public Affairs was announced Monday. IMPD will be joining police from Columbus, Ohio Division of Police and the Minneapolis Police Department.

“They will conduct case studies to examine selection, training and evaluation practices of first-line supervisors such as corporals, sergeants and lieutenants, the first level of command over officers and investigators,” an Ohio State University press release said.

Leading researcher for the project, Robin Engle, said, “This will help agencies in the Great Lakes region and across the country enhance the quality of first-line supervision, advancing organizational changes and policing practices.”

“First-line supervisors shape the day-to-day experience of our officers and have a direct influence on our department’s culture and performance. They carry a heavy responsibility, often without enough support,” IMPD Chief Chris Bailey said in the release. “IMPD joined this study to better understand what they need to succeed and to find meaningful, lasting ways to strengthen frontline leadership.”

Police chiefs from Columbus and Minneapolis said the project will help supervisors with their daily workload and ease “stressors that first-line supervisors face.”

After the study, Glenn College will share their findings to inform practice and policy changes for police executives, policy members, and community members. Glenn College says 65 law enforcement agencies across the country will help develop tools and resources designed by this study for supervisors.

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