Mayor announces new alcohol rules for Indy police

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September 4, 2010

Associated Press Sat Sep 04, 2010, 04:58 PM EDT

INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard outlined a new alcohol policy for police Saturday as part of an effort to restore public trust in the department following a fatal crash involving an officer accused of driving drunk.

"Civilian trust in our police department is essential," Ballard said during a news conference announcing new rules setting strict limits on officers' alcohol use. "We will hold our officers accountable."

Indianapolis police officials have faced criticism of their handling of the Aug. 6 crash in which Officer David Bisard's cruiser plowed into two motorcycles stopped at an intersection, killing one man and injuring two other people.

Police didn't give Bisard a breathalyzer test at the scene, and a blood test about two hours later showed he had a blood-alcohol level of 0.19, more than twice the legal limit of 0.08. Prosecutors later dropped drunken driving charges against Bisard because the blood test wasn't performed according to legal procedure.

He still faces reckless homicide and other charges and has been suspended without pay pending firing.

Ballard said from now on, any officer involved in an accident must take a breathalyzer test.

He also said the new rules would bar officers from drinking within eight hours of starting a shift and from transporting alcohol in police vehicles, which he said previously had been allowed. A rarely used rule that prohibits officers from purchasing alcohol while in uniform also will be enforced.

Police also will be expected to report other officers who have problems with alcohol or substance abuse, and the department will try harder to identify those who need help.

"Police officers must look out for one another not in a way that protects them, but rather in a way that protects the community they serve," Ballard said.

The mayor held the news conference on the city's south side, where hundreds of people had gathered to watch a parade honoring police, firefighters and the military. Before speaking, he led a moment of silence for 30-year-old crash victim Eric Wells and the two who were injured.

"This is a painful chapter for our city and our police department," he said. "We will not heal overnight."

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