Sharpton: IMPD needs 'house cleaning'

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Nearly two weeks after Indianapolis’ merit board re-instated Indianapolis Metropolitan Police officer Jerry Piland in the Brandon Johnson case, Rev. Al Sharpton returned to say he’s outraged.

In July, Sharpton was in Indianapolis to challenge IMPD in the Brandon Johnson case.

Wednesday night, Sharpton said the merit board failed to do the right thing in not firing Officer Piland.

In his words, “This is not over.”

Watch 24-Hour News 8's interview with a local radio host, who comments on Sharpton's visit.

For the second time this year, Sharpton addressed a crowd gathered inside Eastern Star Church. Sharpton comes to Indianapolis on the heels of the IMPD merit board’s decision to re-instate Piland. Officer Piland was blamed for causing injuries to Brandon Johnson on May 15 while arresting him.

"There are those now that want to have unity, but you can't have unity without accountability," Sharpton said.

This summer, Sharpton visited Indianapolis to challenge the city’s mayor and top brass to do the right thing. Sharpton called the beating incident injustice and asked for all the officers involved to be fired.

"The main reason that I came tonight is I promised Brandon that no matter what happened I would be back to stand with him," he said.

James Caldwell heard Sharpton’s message in July. Caldwell said he returned to see him because something has to be done.

"I think they need a house cleaning down there in the police department from the top down," he said.

Sharpton said he plans to open an office in Indianapolis.

"I'm going to open up a headquarters here; I'm going to work hand and glove with Dr. (Stephen) Clay. I don't know the mayor ... don't need to know him, but I can tell him one thing ... with me hanging around town, you can wish you met with Dr. Clay and all the ministers," he said.

"We’re not a mob, we’re not a gang. We’re not anti-police. We are not racist. We are taxpayers who expect more from our police department and elected officials than what we’ve been getting," said Dr. Stephen Clay, President of the Baptist Ministers Alliance.

24-Hour News 8 tried tracking down Dr. Clay to talk to him about bringing Sharpton to town. We called Dr. Clay several times Wednesday and we even stopped by the church early. After Wednesday's event was over we went to the pastor’s quarters at Eastern Star Church to try and get him and was told he’ll call Thursday morning.