IMPD works to get victims to reveal their attackers
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – On the desk of IMPD Chief Troy Riggs is a list of reports. Each paragraph includes narratives of punishable crimes committed against people. There were stabbings, shootings and in one case a driver ran a man over. However, all of those cases had a common theme; none of the victims in those cases were willing to cooperate with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.
In fact, some signed a letter waving their right to participate in a criminal investigation.
“We can’t give someone a pass because they got shot,” said Chief Riggs.
Recently, Riggs added more detectives to the aggravated assault department. Those detectives will review cases where the victim refused to cooperate. The detectives will follow up with not only the victims, but also family members of the victims to try to determine who is responsible for the crime.
“I’m not satisfied with that. We need to work together as police department to determine how are we going to address that,” said Riggs.
After pouring over information and reports, Riggs shared some insight about most victims of crimes. Riggs added that they sometimes become victims again, or perpetrators.
On October 28, 2015, IMPD investigated a shooting at Washington Square Mall where three people were shot. One of the victims that day was Aaron Carr. In the aftermath of the shooting, Carr refused to cooperate with IMPD. Just last month, Carr’s name would resurface. This time IMPD called him a perpetrator who struck an officer while driving a car and drove away. Officers later arrested Carr and charged him with the crime.
During a conversation with 24-Hour News 8, Riggs admitted there are several roadblocks to convincing unwilling victims to cooperate, including safety. Riggs adds the department will work on discussing ways to improve safety for those victims willing to talk.
