Riggs: ‘It is Tough to Leave’
(photo courtesy WTHR-TV)
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowIndianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Chief Troy Riggs says leading the city’s police force has been "the highlight of my professional career." Riggs announced Wednesday morning he is leaving the department after nearly one year to pursue other opportunities, though he expects to end his policing career in Indianapolis. He said "financial considerations" were part of his decision to leave.
At a news conference with Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett, Riggs said he has offers on the table but an announcement on where he will go next will be made at a later date. Riggs touted the successes of IMPD over the past year after coming into the job with an incomplete budget and understaffed police department.
"When you look at the community policing process that we have implemented in the highest crime areas of our community, with our aggressive enforcement, the sweeps that we have accomplished, crime rates in those areas proves that that model of policing works with homicides down 10 percent and shootings down seven percent in those areas," said Riggs. "The trouble is we don’t have enough resources or people to expand that but, because of the mayor’s long-term plan, those areas will be expanded and that success will continue."
Riggs choked up a couple of times during the news conference when speaking about the people within his department. He said if he had to point to one highlight during his tenure as chief, it would be restoring morale among IMPD officers.
Hogsett told reporters the decision to leave was made by Riggs. He says he will make announcements over the next few days about the transition process, which he says will be as smooth as possible.
Riggs says he and his wife plan to stay in Indianapolis.