Reserve Officer Bill Causes Concern Among Some Indiana Police Agencies

Source: (PHOTO: Thinkstock/barbol88)

SOUTHPORT, Ind.–Law enforcement leaders in Southport spoke at a town hall on Tuesday night about their concerns over a bill that could limit the authority of reserve police officers to their own cities and towns.

It is House Bill 1186, which was approved and sent off to the Senate for further consideration.  Southport Police Chief Tom Vaughn said the purpose of the town hall was to educate the community about the ramifications of the bill and what it could mean for safety.

He said his department took more than 200 reports outside the Southport jurisdiction and made more than 100 arrests last year. They are on track to go beyond that in 2025.

“So, if you add all those numbers up, that’s runs IMPD would have to take if we can’t leave. If they’re already struggling to take the runs they have now, how are they going to do that?”, Vaughn said.

Opponents argue that the bill could hinder smaller departments’ ability to fill ranks and restrict reserve officers from working off-duty security jobs.

“I’m really concerned about what that means, not only for the city of Southport, but also for Marion County, which I’m part of,” said Heather Newport, a Southport resident.

Former State Trooper Tamara Watson was also at the town hall.

“There is a way we can change it,” Watson said. “It’s going to take everyone—that’s why I had Chief Vaughn here host this meeting.”

She says the bill doesn’t do a good enough job of accounting for the varying needs of municipalities.