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IPS leader responds to video of IMPD officer striking student outside Shortridge HS

Indianapolis police officer on leave after student encounter

Richard Essex | News 8 at 5 p.m.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A video shot outside Shortridge High School shows an Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officer striking a student.

Late Friday afternoon, IPS Superintendent Aleesia Johnson issued this statement:

“As a black woman and a mother of black children, it isn’t possible to watch the video of the incident that occurred yesterday at Shortridge without immediately thinking about the other incidents in our country that occur between while police officers and black people, especially males. Often, I am left feeling a number of emotions — devastation often chief among them.

“Our team is currently working to gather all information available and, at Shortridge, the school community and the district will come together in a number of ways in the coming weeks to support the school-wide culture, with students planning alongside administrators.

“But, even as all of those efforts are underway, we have district priority around a racial equity mindset for a reason. And while our IPS team investigates and awaits the outcomes of the IMPD investigation, we can’t ignore how the dynamics of race in both our city and our country consistently undergird these situations and leave our community feeling angry, hurt and, in some cases, hopeless.

“I refuse to be hopeless. I look forward to those of us who are a part of the larger TeamIPS community engaging in these challenging conversations in the weeks and months to come. I hope the community will join us.”

IPS Superintendent Aleesia Johnson

Indianapolis Public Schools released this statement:

“Indianapolis Public Schools requested support from IMPD yesterday at Shortridge High School due to an altercation that took place among students inside the building. The District has learned that following that altercation, there was an incident involving an IMPD officer striking an IPS student. We are fully engaged in and investigating this matter, while taking every step at the building level and from central office to ensure the safety and well-being of our students.”

Indianapolis Public Schools

On Friday morning, News 8 reached out to IMPD to ask about the video. IMPD said “our investigators are looking into the situation.”

On Friday afternoon, IMPD released this statement:

“Yesterday, IMPD officers were called to assist IPS Police inside Shortridge High School on a large fight. When officers arrived, they learned that there was a juvenile male on scene who IPS police had in custody. IMPD officers were flagged down by staff to assist with a parent during the lockdown. During the course of the investigation, force was used by an IMPD officer. An IMPD supervisor arrived to conduct a preliminary investigation, per policy. In addition, the IMPD Internal Affairs Unit has been directed to conduct an internal investigation of the incident. The involved officer has been placed on administrative leave. We encourage anyone with any additional information or video to come forward, as it will assist with the internal investigation. “

Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department

Indianapolis Black Lives Matter has called for the officer to be fired. IMPD Chief of Police Bryan Roach on Saturday said the officer has been suspended without pay.

Roach said the video showed the officer punching the student with a closed fist, adding that the officer used “a technique which is not taught or reasonable given the facts known” at this time.

WARNING: The video below contains strong language

https://www.facebook.com/puffycheeks33/videos/976595349350672/