Indicted officer wants to clear name

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - A former Officer of the Year indicted by a grand jury for false reporting and misconduct is speaking out.

Officer Candi Perry told 24-Hour News 8 she has done nothing wrong and wants to clear her name.

"I feel like justice is still going to prevail no matter what happens," said Perry.

24-Hour News 8 first reported Thursday, Officer Perry had been indicted by a Marion County grand jury and suspended without pay.

Charges date back to a June 26 homicide investigation. Around that time, Perry said an anonymous informant recognized her and gave her information about a homicide. That investigation was linked to the June 25 discovery of a man’s body somewhere in a park off 31st and Rader.

Police later made an arrest in that case. Perry said she did everything she could to try to help and now she's paying the price.

Paying the price she said because she couldn't reveal the informant.

"Who are you? And he said, nope. I only trust you. I only trust you, I don't trust anybody else. I'm not talking to those cops," Perry said the informant told her.

Perry did get details about the homicide, but said detectives pressed her about the informant instead. Shortly after, she said rumors began.

24-Hour News 8’s Mike Corbin asked Perry, “And you have no connection whatsoever with these people?”

“None whatsoever,” she responded.

Corbin asked, “No boyfriend?”

“No boyfriend, no sexual relationship and I was constantly asked about that. I was interrogated for many hours," Perry replied.

Perry believes she's being singled out for recent honors she's received.

"I feel like I have a better understanding and a better ability to relate to people who go through a lot of injustices," Perry said.

Law enforcement is her dream job. She wants her name cleared and her job back.

"I always believe that justice eventually prevails and I believe there are other departments if not the IMPD that want an officer who they know is good with the community and that they know and believe will make a difference in their community and in their department," said Perry.

24-Hour-News-8 called both Police Chief Michael Spears and a homicide detective.

Both said because of the grand jury, they can't comment on anything even related to this case. Perry's next court date is a pre-trial hearing next Wednesday at 8:30 a.m.