Ex-IMPD leaders say Straub should go

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Public Safety Director Frank Straub is losing the support of former leaders of IMPD.

This comes after the Fraternal Order of Police – the union that represents officers – said Straub painted a picture of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department as corrupt.

"There are people who served and died for this department and city, and to say that about our police - that is why I'm here, "said Jack Cottey, former IMPD chief and Marion County sheriff.

Cottey and other former IMPD leaders spoke out Wednesday during a news conference.

"When I head what Straub said, I couldn't believe it, "said former IMPD Chief Jerry Barker. "I said to myself, ‘What is he thinking? How can you effect change when you say stuff like that?’"

The former top cops said they've heard from several other leaders who share the same opinion that Straub must go.

But Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard spokesman Mark Lotter said with the r ecent revelations about evidence mishandling in the case of embattled IMPD Officer David Bisard, it’s even more important that Straub be kept in place to continue to reform IMPD policy and procedures, and even management.