Good. Police officers who wantonly abuse the public trust deserve to face full professional consequences - and criminal too where applicable. Doing so by using new technology in a way that even a moron can figure out is morally wrong only amplifies the point.
𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐈𝐌𝐏𝐃 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐅𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐋𝐏𝐑 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬
INDIANAPOLIS – On September 23, 2026, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) announced that four suspended officers, who have been recommended for termination, and one former officer have been formally charged by the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office (MCPO). All five have been charged with fraud and official misconduct. One has also been charged with stalking.
In August and September 2026, internal audits identified potential misuse of automatic license plate reader (ALPR) technology by the five officers. IMPD initiated administrative and criminal investigations. Based on preliminary findings, Chief Terry placed all five officers on administrative duty with no police powers and revoked their access to ALPR systems. One officer subsequently resigned, but the administrative and criminal investigations into that officer’s ALPR use continued. As additional facts emerged in each investigation, Chief Terry suspended the four remaining officers and recommended their termination to the Merit Board.
In September, IMPD investigators presented their findings in each of the five cases to the MCPO for review.
The MCPO filed charges against the following:
▫️Michael Rogers, 16 years – Suspended and recommended for termination
Fraud, Official Misconduct
▫️Jonathan Schultz, 18 years – Suspended and recommended for termination
Fraud, Official Misconduct, Stalking
▫️Cassandra Crawley, 7 years – Suspended and recommended for termination
Fraud, Official Misconduct
▫️Matthew Binford, 4 years – Suspended and recommended for termination
Fraud, Official Misconduct
▫️Abigail Cramer, 5 years – Resigned
Fraud, Official Misconduct
“Today is a deeply disheartening and disappointing day for IMPD. These individuals’ actions went far beyond a clerical error or a violation of department policy. These actions crossed into criminal conduct and shook the foundation of trust that our agency is built upon,” said Chief Tanya Terry.
“But I refuse to let the actions of a few define the work of this department and the hundreds of officers who show up every day with one mission: to protect our community. They put others before themselves. They run towards danger as others run away. They wear this badge with pride and serve with integrity and respect. They do the right thing.
"We will continue serving with courage and compassion, as well as professionalism and accountability. Maintaining public trust is not optional, and it must be a daily practice. Each one of us has a role in upholding that standard," she added.
The alleged misuse occurred prior to the implementation of IMPD’s new ALPR policy. In August 2026, IMPD issued an updated ALPR Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). Every ALPR user was required to sign the policy to keep access. Those who did not had their access shut off. All searches must now be tied to a case or incident number as well as a National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) offense code. IMPD has also implemented stronger auditing to more quickly identify and investigate potential misuse and ensure every search is for a legitimate law enforcement purpose. IMPD has also adopted single sign‑on for ALPR technology, strengthening security by reducing the risk of credential sharing or misuse. IMPD is only sharing ALPR data with law enforcement agencies within Indiana. Access is no longer provided to agencies outside the state.
IMPD is currently converting the ALPR SOP to a General Order, which will be presented to the General Orders Board for feedback before a final version is issued. Once finalized, the General Order will be available to the public.
IMPD supports legislation that guides proper use of this technology while leveraging it to reduce violent crime, save lives, and reunite loved ones. Conversations with legislators are already underway ahead of the next session.