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Officers cleared in Aaron Bailey shooting begin process to return to normal IMPD duties

Posted at 9:02 PM, May 11, 2018
and last updated 2018-05-11 21:02:47-04

INDIANAPOLIS -- The two officers cleared Thursday in the fatal shooting of Aaron Bailey last year will meet soon with IMPD’s chief of operations to discuss their return to normal duties.

Officers Carlton Howard and Michael Dinnsen were found not to have violated IMPD policy in a 5-2  vote by the Civilian Police Merit Board. IMPD Chief Bryan Roach had recommended their termination, despite a decision by a special prosecutor not to file criminal charges in the case.

READ MORE | Civilian Merit Board clears IMPD officers in Aaron Bailey shooting in 5-2 vote | In emotional testimony, officer recounts fatal shooting of Aaron Bailey | Officer in Aaron Bailey shooting: ‘I thought I was going to die that night’ | IMPD Chief Bryan Roach grilled at termination hearing for officers who shot Aaron Bailey

Now that they are cleared, the officers’ attorney, John Kautzman, says he expects the department to help Howard and Dinnsen transition back to their jobs.

“Right now, these men have been through hell and back,” Kautzman said, “through this journey that the department has put them through. Thank God it is behind them, and I think they want to come back and serve these citizens. I hope the chief welcomes them back.”

An IMPD spokesman said the department began the process of putting the officers back on the payroll Friday. Howard and Dinnsen had been suspended without pay since Roach recommended their termination.

Despite Thursday’s result, Roach said the department will continue with its efforts to give every officer implicit bias training and to review its use-of-force policies. Mayor Joe Hogsett has called for changes with the merit board itself.

Howard and Dinnsen remain the subjects of a federal civil lawsuit filed by the Bailey family.

READ MORE | No charges for IMPD officers in fatal shooting of Aaron Bailey | Officers knew Aaron Bailey's passenger was 'being monitored' in homicide prior to shooting | Man was shot by two officers 'multiple' times | Man killed by IMPD officers was in-and-out of jail, convicted of 14 felonies | IMPD Chief: Officer-involved shooting a 'true test' of relationship between police & community