Indianapolis Appoints First Female Police Chief

27-year veteran Tanya Terry to lead IMPD, focus on crime reduction and officer wellness

Jan. 28, 2026 at 10:07am

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Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett has appointed Tanya Terry, a 27-year veteran of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, as the city's first female police chief. Terry will replace outgoing Chief Chris Bailey, who is leaving to become the mayor's chief deputy. Terry previously served as deputy chief of operations and commander of the IMPD's Southwest District, where she spearheaded a successful juvenile crime diversion program.

Why it matters

Terry's appointment marks a historic milestone for the IMPD, which has never had a woman serve as its permanent police chief. Her leadership experience and focus on crime reduction and officer wellness are expected to be key priorities as she takes over the department, which has struggled with officer recruitment and retention.

The details

Terry will be sworn in as police chief on February 2nd. She will be tasked with implementing the department's first-ever five-year strategic plan and addressing staffing challenges, as IMPD currently has nearly 300 fewer officers than its target of over 1,740. Under Terry's predecessor, the city has seen a 44% reduction in criminal homicides and non-fatal shootings over the last four years, though violence remains elevated compared to pre-pandemic levels.

  • Terry will be sworn in as Indianapolis' new police chief on February 2, 2026.
  • She will replace outgoing Chief Chris Bailey, who is leaving the role to become the mayor's chief deputy in early February 2026.

The players

Tanya Terry

A 27-year veteran of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, Terry previously served as deputy chief of operations and commander of the IMPD's Southwest District.

Joe Hogsett

The mayor of Indianapolis, Hogsett appointed Terry as the city's first female police chief.

Chris Bailey

The outgoing IMPD police chief, who is leaving the role to become Hogsett's chief deputy mayor.

Rick Snyder

The president of the Indianapolis Fraternal Order of Police, who praised Terry's career and commitment to officer wellness.

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What they’re saying

“Tanya Terry's leadership has played a monumental role in decreasing crime in Indianapolis, which is down across the board with an eight-year low in criminal homicides.”

— Joe Hogsett, Mayor of Indianapolis (ibj.com)

“Tanya Terry is highly respected across the board by the rank and file of the department. Her career has been built on solid street police work, superb investigative skills, a focus on holding violent offenders accountable, and her care for the wellness and safety of our officers is well known.”

— Rick Snyder, President, Indianapolis Fraternal Order of Police (ibj.com)

What’s next

Terry's appointment as Indianapolis' first female police chief must be approved by the City-County Council. The proposal to confirm her appointment will be introduced at the February 2nd council meeting and is expected to be approved at the March 2nd meeting.

The takeaway

Tanya Terry's historic appointment as Indianapolis' first female police chief comes at a critical time for the department, which has faced staffing challenges and high levels of violent crime. Her focus on crime reduction, officer wellness, and implementing a new strategic plan will be key priorities as she takes the helm of IMPD.