The state contests the classification of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office as “law enforcement”

Indianapolis, Indiana – The sheriff’s office’s responsibilities changed after a 2007 merger with the Indianapolis Police Department, according to the state training board, which contends that it is not a legitimate law enforcement organization.

A court order filed on Feb. 27 requires the academy to accept up to 20 Marion County deputies per year for training.

When the appeals court might hear the case or render a decision is unknown.

“In an era where some suggest ‘defund the police,’ I had to go to court to sue in order to make certain that Marion County Sheriff’s deputies were properly trained according to state law,” Forestal said in a release Tuesday.

“It appears that the state training board wants to eliminate law enforcement officers in the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. The Marion County Court judges made it very clear that they want trained deputies in their courthouse, not unarmed guards, after recent incidents at the Community Justice Center.”

The training is required to satisfy new criteria under a police reform measure passed by the Indiana General Assembly in 2021.

The sheriff’s office’s responsibilities changed after a 2007 merger with the Indianapolis Police Department, according to the state training board, which contends that it is not a legitimate law enforcement organization.

Up to 20 Marion County officers must be accepted by the academy each year for training, according to a court order granted on February 27.

When the appeals court might hear the case or render a decision is unknown.