Mayor Joe Hogsett announced today that Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Chief Chris Bailey will move to the Mayor’s Office as Chief Deputy Mayor and Chief of Staff, effective Feb. 2, 2026.

Bailey, a 26-year veteran of IMPD and the department’s chief since January 2024, will take over the administration’s day-to-day management role at City Hall at a time when the city is balancing public safety priorities with major capital and development projects.

“Chris Bailey is a proven leader with a longstanding career defined by service, accountability, and meaningful results,” Hogsett said in a statement. “His appointment as Chief Deputy Mayor and Chief of Staff underscores our administration’s continued commitment to public safety and stronger neighborhoods.”

The mayor’s office credited Bailey’s tenure at IMPD with double-digit percentage reductions in violent crime, including homicides and non-fatal shootings, along with decreases in property crime and overall crime. The announcement also highlighted steps taken under Bailey’s leadership, including the launch of a transparency portal intended to give residents access to real-time public safety information, and the start of a long-term strategic planning process to map the department’s future.

Hogsett said Bailey’s background running Indiana’s largest law enforcement agency positions him to oversee complex city operations beyond policing, describing him as someone who can “manage large and complex city departments, streamline decision-making, and keep our administration focused on delivering progress for Indianapolis.”

Bailey has been part of IMPD’s leadership team since 2014 and has worked with city departments, elected officials, and community leaders on initiatives aimed at improving neighborhood safety and addressing quality-of-life concerns, according to the mayor’s office.

The transition comes as the administration points to what it describes as ongoing growth and investment across Indianapolis. The mayor’s office said the city plans to continue investing in public safety technology and strategies aimed at reducing violent crime. It also outlined several 2026 initiatives and projects, including:

  • $10 million in new funding for road improvements as part of a $1.2 billion, five-year capital improvement plan

  • Major downtown development projects such as the Signia by Hilton hotel and the Henry Street Bridge

  • Enhancements planned for roughly 20% of the city’s 218 Indy Parks

  • Continued focus on housing initiatives, including Vacant to Vibrant, Master Leasing, and public-private partnerships

Bailey will replace Dan Parker, who served as Chief Deputy Mayor and Chief of Staff from Aug. 29, 2022, through Dec. 31, 2025. The mayor’s office said Parker helped lead efforts to secure state road funding changes projected to deliver additional dollars to Indianapolis and coordinated development projects designed to support economic growth.

Hogsett said new IMPD leadership will be announced “in the coming weeks,” setting up another high-profile transition for the city’s public safety team as Bailey moves into the administration’s top operational role.