INDIANAPOLIS -- A Marion County grand jury has returned an indictment against an Indianapolis police officer who was once "Community Policing Officer of the Year."

Candi Perry, 47, faces charges of official misconduct, a Class D felony, and false reporting, a Class A misdemeanor, 6News' Jack Rinehart reported.

The indictment alleged that in late June, Perry knowingly provided false information to officers investigating the slaying of a west side man in the 3100 block of Rader St.

Police said Perry, who worked that area, was asked to come up with a possible witness or suspect. The false information hindered the law enforcement process, the indictment alleged.

Perry appeared in court on Tuesday and has been suspended from her job and recommended for termination, pending a merit board vote.

Perry's attorney, former Public Safety Director Robert Turner, called his client the victim of a smear campaign by police.

"They inferred that she was protecting the person, therefore implied that she was also sleeping with the person," he said. "I don't know how it got there. It's irrational, it makes absolutely no sense and you think the police department would have more to do than intimidate and threaten their own employees."

Turner said he plans to fight the charges and file a federal lawsuit against the police department.

Perry is scheduled for an initial hearing on Nov. 4.