FOP votes to pay Bisard's legal fees

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - The Indianapolis police union has voted to pay for the legal defense of Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Officer David Bisard.

Bisard submitted his request for legal fees Tuesday and showed up at the vote of the FOP last night but did not speak. His attorney John Kautzman presented the case.

24-Hour News 8 has learned there was a brief debate about whether it coincided with the bylaws. But, the 100 members in attendance voted nearly unanimously to pay the lawyer fees.

FOP President Bill Owensby told 24-Hour News 8 Friday night that the crash report released by the IMPD made Bisard’s case fit into the union’s bylaws for paying attorney fees.

"67 people said they never saw any sign he was intoxicated,” Owensby said. “Had he been, that would not fit the bylaws and the union would not represent him."

Owensby says there is no cap on the legal fees and because Bisard is a member in good standing he has a right to legal assistance.

Bisard has been in the spotlight since he collided with motorcycles while on duty in his patrol car. One person died in the incident and others were seriously injured.