Questions raised over uncertified Indianapolis police chief - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

After this week's shake-up at the Indianapolis Metro Police Department, Eyewitness News has learned that Acting Police Chief Rick Hite is not yet certified under Indiana law.

When former Police Chief Paul Ceisielski stepped down, Public Safety director Frank Straub immediately named Rick Hite as acting chief. It later surfaced Hite isn't police-certified in Indiana.

"You typically have to submit your training documents and proof of your certification as a police officer in whatever state you're coming from," said Straub.

Rusty Goodpastor is the executive director at the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy where Hite will seek certification.

"That can take a two- to three-month period to get through the waiver process, but that is because of a timing issue," he explained.

Acting Chief Rick Hite shouldn't have major hurdles to clear for certification at the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy. Goodpastor believes Maryland's training is much like the training here.

"Maryland, as a state, we have a good reciprocity with them," he said.

City County Code stipulates, "The public safety director...shall appoint a chief after consultation with the sheriff."

Channel 13 learned that Straub followed the law with a telephone call to Sheriff John Layton informing him about Hite's promotion.

The same ordinances says, "...a director, who shall be appointed by the mayor after consultation with the sheriff..."

Sources tell Channel 13 that neither former Marion County Sheriff Frank Anderson nor current Sheriff John Layton received consultation from Mayor Greg Ballard about hiring Straub. That violates city county code.

But Ballard's spokesperson Marc Lotter argues consultations did take place.

"The mayor promised us a better police department," he said.

Because of his 30-plus years of law enforcement experience, Hite will likely seek a waiver for many of the requirements to get Indiana certified.

Public Safety Director Frank Straub is still seeking approval from the Public Safety and Criminal Justice Committee.