Mayor Joe Hogsett surprised many political observers last week when he tapped Chris Bailey, Indy’s chief of police, to be his next chief of staff and deputy mayor.
“It’s a different kind of appointment than we’ve seen from the mayor in the past,” said Josh Riddick, a community organizer who works with the Black Church Coalition.
But as Hogsett enters the last two years of his third and potentially final term, he is choosing someone he believes he can trust: a proven leader who helped the city’s police department navigate an increase in officer-involved shootings and an outbreak of youth violence.
A chief of staff typically plays the role of top advisor to the mayor while also managing the day-to-day operations of city government.
“Hogsett has always focused on, and sometimes struggled, with crime rates during his tenure, so the appointment reinforces the importance of the issue for the mayor and his administration,” said Laura Merrifield Wilson, professor of political science at the University of Indianapolis.
Violent crimes have fallen since Bailey was named police chief in February 2024. There were 166 homicides in 2024, compared to 133 in 2025.
Bailey, a westside native, joined the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department in 1999 and has been a member of the department’s leadership team since 2014.
On Feb. 2, he will become Hogsett’s chief of staff and deputy mayor, replacing Dan Parker, who stepped down last year after serving in the role for more than three years.
In an interview with Mirror Indy, Bailey said getting picked for the job “wasn’t on my bingo card” and that he’s focused on governing, not politics.
“I would be lying if I told you I didn’t have a large learning curve to get over,” Bailey said. “What I know from working with IMPD is the people that actually do the work every day — the dedicated career employees — are what keep the city moving. I’m going to take that same approach to this new role.”
A surprise, to be sure
There appears to be bipartisan support for Hogsett’s pick.
City-County Council President Maggie Lewis, a Democrat, declined Mirror Indy’s Jan. 9 request for an interview but said in a press release that same day that Bailey has “emphasized collaboration and strong partnerships as key strategies to reduce crime” during his tenure as police chief.
Michael-Paul Hart, a southside Republican councilor, told Mirror Indy he was surprised by the pick but is nonetheless excited to work with Bailey.
Hart sponsored a proposal last year that would have turned the IMPD’s General Orders Board into an advisory group. The civilian-led body is responsible for setting best practices and standards for the department.
Bailey said at the time that the board has lowered morale in the department and contributed to a negative public perception of IMPD officers.
Democrats on the council rejected Hart’s proposal, but Sen. Aaron Freeman, R-Indianapolis, has since filed legislation that would accomplish what Hart couldn’t. The bill hasn’t yet been scheduled for a hearing.
Hart said Bailey is “a very honest person” who isn’t afraid to say in public what he’ll say in private conversations.
“You don’t really see that all that often in politics and in the city,” Hart said. “That level of integrity and honesty is needed right now.”
Riddick said he’d like to see the Hogsett administration further invest in violence reduction strategies, like the Indy Peace program, that don’t rely on law enforcement.
“We want to make sure our city isn’t just dumping more and more money into law enforcement as we have the last 10 years,” Riddick said.
The next police chief
IMPD may pull from its leadership ranks to find the department’s next commander. Assistant chiefs Michael Wolley and Catherine Cummings are potential successors.
Then there’s Kendale Adams, the department’s deputy chief of investigations, who has a history of working with youth in the community.
Adams told Mirror Indy he has interest in the job.
“I’ve been serving for 28 years. I grew up in this city,” Adams said. “If I get the call, we’ll have the conversation.”
Mirror Indy, a nonprofit newsroom, is funded through grants and donations from individuals, foundations and organizations.
Peter Blanchard covers local government. Reach him at 317-605-4836 or peter.blanchard@mirrorindy.org. Follow him on X @peterlblanchard.
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