Fishers Police Chief Ed Gebhart has issued a statement Thursday responding to a formal complaint filed against Fishers officers that there was racial profiling of an African American driver. Gebhart says the internal investigation found “officers responded in accordance with department policy and procedure.”
Gebhart says the investigation reviewed officer body worn cameras, in-car cameras, retail videos from the incident, dispatch radio traffic and CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch) notes, the 911 call, case report and narratives.
The incident involved was related to a report of a disturbance at Walmart 8300 E. 96th Street on Friday, April 21st. Dustin Martin, who police report as the other party in the reported disturbance, was arrested May 7th “to be held accountable for his actions,” per the Chief’s statement.
“Currently, the individuals involved in this matter have not responded to the department’s offers to meet and discuss the incident in detail and review all associated videos,” Gebhart said in his statement . “The Fishers Police Department and the City of Fishers will share all facts and evidence in the proper venue as a Tort Claim notice has been received, and a criminal case is pending with the Hamilton County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.”
“The Fishers Police Department remains committed in our continued efforts to be transparent with our actions, decision-making, and communication,” the Chief says in the statement.
Below is Chief Gebhart’s full statement:
The Fishers Police Department remains committed in our continued efforts to be transparent with our actions, decision-making, and communication. The Fishers Police Department initiated an internal review of our officers’ actions involving a disturbance at Walmart 8300 E 96th Street on April 21, 2023, after becoming aware of Mr. Bunnell’s displeasure regarding his contact with police via a social media post.
Members of the police department began working to identify the other involved party to the disturbance and Dustin J. Martin was later identified and contacted by Fishers Police Department on April 24, 2023. A case was presented to the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office for review, and an arrest warrant was issued. Dustin Martin was arrested on the warrant on May 7, 2023, to be held accountable for his actions.
The Fishers Police Department received a formal complaint from Mr. Bunnell on April 25, 2023, and conducted a formal complaint investigation of the facts, circumstances, and information surrounding the incident in question. The internal review of all information (officer body worn cameras, in-car cameras, retail videos from the incident, dispatch radio traffic and CAD notes, the 911 call, case report and narratives) confirmed officers responded in accordance with department policy and procedure.
Currently, the individuals involved in this matter have not responded to the department’s offers to meet and discuss the incident in detail and review all associated videos. The Fishers Police Department and the City of Fishers will share all facts and evidence in the proper venue as a Tort Claim notice has been received, and a criminal case is pending with the Hamilton County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.