Indiana House passes military police force bill
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Indiana's governor would have command of a new military police force under a bill passed Wednesday by the Indiana House.
Why it matters: Uninvited and unwanted law enforcement forces have entered cities around the country, sometimes to devastating effect, most recently seen in Minneapolis, where President Trump sent an unprecedented surge of federal agents that was met with fierce opposition and turned deadly.
- One lawmaker called the legislation "the most dangerous thing" considered in the Statehouse in the last two decades.
Driving the news: A provision in House Bill 1343 would create a quasi-military force of the Indiana National Guard with police powers for use by Indiana's governor.
- The governor could send this new force into a community without consent from local leaders.
- A guard member serving in this force could make arrests, conduct search and seizure of people and property, carry a firearm, and exercise other police powers.
What they're saying: "Under this bill, Indiana would have one of the most expansive state-level military policing laws in the United States," said State Rep. Chris Campbell (D-West Lafayette). "We're headed down a dangerous path. It is a slap in the face to Hoosiers' personal freedoms and the promises our country was founded upon."
- Several lawmakers questioned what would stop Gov. Mike Braun from sending this police force into a community like Indianapolis, where he disagrees with the local policies about policing, prosecution and collaboration with immigration authorities.
The other side: Rep. Stephen Bartels (R-Eckerty), the bill's author, said the measure is past due.
- While the governor can already dispatch the National Guard, this would ensure troops have the police powers and training they need to support local law enforcement, he said.
- In the case of emergencies, he said, the state police force may not be large enough to meet law enforcement needs.
State of play: Adjutant General of the Indiana National Guard Larry Muennich said the guard supports the bill, as does the governor's office and the state police.
- "The state and the country have awoken to the capability and professionalism of the National Guard," Muennich said this month while testifying in support of the bill.
- It would apply only to troops trained to serve as military police, he said.
- Bartels said the bill was not requested by any local governments and he did not consult with any of them when drafting the bill.
Between the lines: Bill supporters used the Boston Marathon bombing, when the National Guard aided state and local police in response to that tragedy, as an example for why this force is needed. But opponents said the timing is related to more recent events.
- "This is the most dangerous thing I've ever seen come through this body," said Rep. Matt Pierce (D-Bloomington), a 24-year lawmaker. "This is playing with fire. And I don't have to make up imaginary scenarios."
- "All you gotta do is look at Minneapolis, Minnesota. What happens when you take, basically, a paramilitary force and you impose it upon a community? What do you get? You get a mother shot, point blank in the head. What do you get? You get a lawful gun owner shot in the back, and then an extra … six or seven more times, just for good measure."
The latest: HB 1343 passed the House 67-29 on Wednesday and has been sent to the Senate.