INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) - When Joe Hogsett ran for mayor, he made public safety his top priority.
When asked about the record homicide rate, he said it's unacceptable, but also points out that most other similar-sized cities have seen a much bigger jump.
Mayor Hogsett said the problem will not be solved overnight, but he also believes the city has made progress.
Hogsett gives outgoing Chief Troy Riggs a lot of credit for that, especially when it comes to a return to beat policing.
"It has been difficult year, a challenging year, but the fact that we may get to the end of the month without a significant increase in the overall number of homicides may identify a trend that we're at least stopping the hemorraging, perhaps moving the dial in the other direction next year," said the mayor.
Hogsett added, "Troy's innovative ideas will continue with the new chief. I will be announcing the next day or in the next week the process the city will engage in to find a new chief, whether it's internal or external and will hope to move on those issues quickly so the transition is a smooth one."
Chief Riggs cited financial concerns, supporting his family as the main reason he was stepping down.
Riggs was paid $119,000. We asked the mayor how important pay was in recruiting a new chief.
"I think we will be able to find an exceptionally competent and qualified candidate or set of candidates to consider at the current salary. That's not to say down the road we shouldn't be revisiting how we pay our top department-level leaders," said Hogsett.
