IPS to put police on chopping block

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - IPS said proposed budget cuts aim to be spread evenly through the system. Superintendent Eugene White presented a plan Monday night that would cut nearly $27 million. Dr. White made it clear: some programs are off limits. So, that limits the options.

IPS says it wants to cut in ways that produce the least impact on classrooms.

"That's why this is so difficult, because we have to take the money from the fund that funds programs and people," said IPS spokesperson Mary Louise Bewley.

The IPS Police Department is among those facing reductions. The department has 90 officers now. Superintendent White's plan would cut 20 of them, due in large part to the likely student population.

White said they're projecting 34,000 students to enroll next year.

In the past, IPS hasn't cut security staff as it closed schools.

"If you look at the number of school police officers in other urban school districts, IPS is probably about the best ratio of students to police officers," said Bewley.

Columbus, Ohio's school system says it has 35 officers for 55,000 students. Dallas, Texas has 130 officers for 160,000 students. So, Indianapolis falls in between those systems.

"We've been cutting budgets now for two out of the last three years," said White.

The school police cuts presented Monday night would be small part of the overall savings.

"We're not going to put students at risk. But, we do believe we can keep students safe by reducing those numbers," said Bewley.

School police may have quiet days. But on others, they may break up fights or even help parents get to sick children.

So, Bewley says it's not the kind of work other officers might do, if -- for example -- IPS asked IMPD to cover its campuses.

"I would say that, with our clientele, it's really better to work full-time with our people," said Bewley.

IPS assigns its officers to middle and high schools. They work three shifts, 24 hours a day, every day.

Bewley says the officers -- and people with support jobs such as hers -- must remember that the kids and the classrooms must come first.

The plan will be discussed next Tuesday night at Tech High School.