Putting Police Together

Indianapolis has long been considered one of the nation's prime examples of a successful city-county merger. But the 35-year-old "Uni-Gov" merger between Indianapolis and Marion County was, in reality, a limited affair. Although economic development efforts, for instance, are shared, many basic services and functions are not.

A more complete merger is something Indy Mayor Bart Peterson has been pushing, with limited success. Some of his merger plans died earlier this year in the state legislature, as Governing reported. And his dreams of combining the police force with the county sheriff's office were dashed by a city council vote several weeks ago.

But now it appears the city council will reconsider the matter. Council President Steve Talley has been lobbying hard to win the extra vote needed to pass the law-enforcement merger, and it appears he's got it. Scott Keller is ready to break ranks with his fellow Republicans on the council, the Indianapolis Star reports, having received assurances that promotions would be based on merit rather than politics and that Indianapolis officers won't be moved to the suburbs to fulfill the sheriff's force-expansion plans.

A hearing and vote are scheduled for this evening. Merger could happen by the beginning of 2007.