Local police officer meets president and vice president

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden met with rank-and-file law enforcement officials from around the country on Tuesday to thank them for their service. An Indiana police officer was one of those in attendance for the event.

Officer Matthew Thomas, an 8-year Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) North District officer, said the meeting was a “humbling experience.”

Officer Thomas released the following statement regarding his experience:

“I would like to express my gratitude to Chief Hite for giving me the opportunity to represent the IMPD at the White House. I would also like to extend my gratitude to Director Davis with the Department of Justice’s COPS program, as he and his staff were excellent hosts. I was truly humbled by the opportunity to meet with such a great group of officers from around the country, discussing important law enforcement issues with the President and Vice President. It was an experience I will remember for the rest of my life.”

The law enforcement officers present at the Oval Office were nominated by their heads of departments. Their agencies had been chosen to attend the meeting based on community policing and geographic diversity.

The IMPD Leadership Academy’s contribution to the health and productivity of officers, and the importance of a Field Training Officer (FTO) Program were among the topics discussed during the Tuesday meeting.