Indianapolis Police Department Names First Female Police Chief
What to Know
- Tanya Terry is the first woman to serve as permanent police chief of IMPD, bringing nearly three decades of law enforcement experience.
- Her priorities include reducing violent crime, improving officer retention, and expanding community engagement efforts.
- Terry has led initiatives like juvenile diversion programs and has experience managing operational demands across the department.
INDIANAPOLIS -- Tanya Terry, a 27-year veteran of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD), will be sworn in Monday as police chief, becoming the first woman to permanently lead the agency, according to city officials.
Terry’s appointment comes as Indianapolis reports criminal homicides at an eight-year low. Department leaders say her priorities will include reducing violent crime, improving officer retention, and strengthening community partnerships.
In an interview with WRTV, Terry called the appointment “incredibly humbling” and said she is focused on continuing crime reduction efforts already underway within the department.
Terry has spent nearly three decades with IMPD, serving in patrol, homicide, and multiple leadership roles. Most recently, she served as deputy chief of operations, where she oversaw all police districts citywide and managed daily operational demands across the agency.
As deputy chief, Terry said she gained experience addressing both short-term staffing challenges and long-term workforce planning, while also contributing to gun violence reduction strategies and the department’s enhanced community safety initiative.
During her tenure as commander of the Southwest District, Terry spearheaded a juvenile diversion program in 2021. According to Terry, the program diverts low-risk, nonviolent youth to community resources rather than deeper involvement in the criminal justice system. The initiative was later expanded to all IMPD districts.
Mayor Joe Hogsett praised the appointment in a statement, saying he is confident the department will continue making progress in public safety under Terry’s leadership.
IMPD is currently short more than 300 officers. Terry said recruitment and retention will be a major focus of her administration, including efforts to expand outreach to women interested in law enforcement careers.
Terry grew up in Indianapolis and is a graduate of Warren Central High School. She said her leadership approach emphasizes accountability balanced with empathy, a perspective she attributes to lessons learned early in her career from fallen IMPD officer David Moore.
Terry acknowledged the demands of the role but said she is supported by her family, including her wife, who serves as an IMPD captain. She said she is committed to serving both department personnel and the broader Indianapolis community.