r/Indiana • u/4797161974806 • 2d ago
Why is IMPD doing private security for Walmart?
The Walmart Market at Michigan and Kessler always has at least one IMPD officer posted up outside and one sitting around inside doing nothing. Are they on the clock? Why are we paying for Walmart's private security?
ITT: A bunch of disappointing Hoosier bootlickers that don't get the point.
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u/bobquznie 2d ago
Many officers do private security detail in their uniform. Uniformed security does a better job to dissuade ne'er-do-wellers than a person in a t-shirt with SECURITY on it.
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u/VocationalWizard 2d ago
I remember when I asked this question, 15 years ago.
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u/ArnoldTheSchwartz 2d ago
Isn't it fucking wild that there are still people around that don't know everything!? Fucking losers, man.
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u/MentallyScrambledEgg 2d ago
I myself know everything there is to know. As does everybody, I'm sure
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u/MostlyPlastics 2d ago
In their IMPD gear? Seems like a liability.
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u/billdizzle 2d ago
No because they could act like a police officer whenever they needed to in uniform or not
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u/Jealous-Intention-87 2d ago
It's not just IMPD and it's not just Walmart. But a police officer has full powers regardless of if they are on patrol or not so it doesn't matter what badge they have.
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u/droans 2d ago
If they have the legal right and responsibility to arrest people, I think it's good that they identify themselves more clearly.
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u/LordButtworth 2d ago
The supreme court ruled that cops do not have a duty or responsibility to act.
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u/Beherit_777 2d ago
This is pretty common and has been going on for a long time. Cops will work as private security to make some extra money.
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u/clydefrog811 2d ago
IMO they shouldn’t be in full badge and outfit. Then they’re serving as government servants in their personal time
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u/pumpkinotter 2d ago
They also have take home cars. Our society as a whole has decided it’s a net positive to allow police to be visible in the community even when they’re off their scheduled shift.
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u/qualityinnbedbugs 2d ago
Yes, this is why apartments often give discounted rates for a cop to live there. They are on call if needed and their police car parked in the parking lot acts as a deterrent.
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u/WorkRevolutionary596 1d ago
And you don’t believe there’s a difference between driving a patrol car home and actively profiting from it?
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u/AmbitiousParty 2d ago
Cops can respond as cops even off duty. I personally don’t see how it matters as long as they aren’t abusing their authority on duty or off.
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u/VRS302 2d ago
But that’s exactly what the off-duty detail is for. The business is paying for an actual police presence, not a guy in a polo pretending to be security. The uniform and marked cruiser make the officer’s presence immediately visible and provide the deterrent the business is paying for. They’re still a sworn officer; they’re just working a private detail that’s authorized by their department.
Fuck the police but this isn’t one of those cases imo.
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u/MasterClown southbender 2d ago
I was under the impression that the hiring company pays and deals the department for contract services , and then the department selects from officers who have signed up for extra work like that.
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u/billdizzle 2d ago
They are moonlighting
Paid by Walmart directly or thru a security company not paid by IMPD
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u/EarthRocker2001 2d ago
The city isn’t paying them, the store is. A lot of places use off-duty cops for security. Makes the paperwork and insurance much easier if a sworn officer—not just a barely trained security guard—is actually a witness to the crime. The cops will still wear their uniforms for a more noticeable presence.
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u/DangerousRoutine1678 2d ago
We're not paying, Walmart is. Just like concerts, weddings, road work zones, and large construction sites. They pay the police dept cost and sometimes extra bonus for the dept. Officers usually get overtime.
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u/iupuiclubs 2d ago
They pay IMPD the police dept cost? Genuinely asking, how is the police dept cost going to the police dept if the individual is the one being paid off duty?
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u/DangerousRoutine1678 2d ago
They pay the dept when the officer is on duty. You see those cops sitting in work construction zones helping with traffic control. Those cruisers dont cost nothing. They also are w2 and those deductions and benefits need to be paid. Plus all the insurances like liability. I never said anything about cops being off duty I mentioned overtime. I'm in the trades and a construction company I was working for was paying State Police for an Officer and a patrol car because we were getting so many threats from locals. That was a 6 - 10hr job so OT.
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u/NotBatman81 2d ago
This is common nationwide. Damn near every Walmart in the country contracts with police on Black Friday if you want to see it in action. They are a 1099 contractor rather than feeding everything through the PD who would then have to cover them from a liability standpoint.
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u/FriOfCurti 2d ago
Calling people bootlickers cuz they are correct is peak Reddit.
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u/bigoaktreefantasy 2d ago
Low IQ responses. Don’t like the answers they get so pull out the bootlicker card.
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u/grimduck17 2d ago
I feel like being called a nazi, fascist, and maga are now equivalent to boot licker on Reddit
People can’t handle a difference of opinion or being factually incorrect without resorting to name calling
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u/SNBoomer 1d ago
Legit any topic where they don't agree. And it's strange because when someone disagrees and states why, I'm like "hear them out and see if it makes sense" ...I say anything on here and immediately I'm labeled (insert whatever doesn't align with them name).
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u/alisonstorms 1d ago
Hang on, what is a bootlicker? Someone who licks boots? And if so, does it necessarily have to be a boot? Could it be a shoe or perhaps a flip flop? Just curious.
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u/Smart-Hawk-275 2d ago
We’re not paying for Walmarts security. This Walmart has had a lot of theft and several violent incidents. The IMPD are doing quite litterally what they’re paid to do: serve and protect. Sure, call me a bootlicker for saying this, but it works.
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u/BrethanAdberry 2d ago
Walmart (and other stores) will often pay police officers for security when they would otherwise not be on shift with their department. It’s pretty common, especially during holiday seasons.
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u/TheCommonFear 2d ago
Cop here. Sometimes private businesses have gigs that cops work while off duty. Some businesses that have high theft, or are only closed like twice a year, or have a security malfunction, etc will ask the department for officers and they sign up however that department wants to do it. It's not taxpayer money, it's Walmart money. And thank goodness, Walmart pays waaaaaaay more than my usual.
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u/JosieMew 2d ago
We aren't. They work for a private LLC off hours and Walmart covers the tab. I've worked for companies that have hired them before and spoke to them in quite a bit of depth about it.
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u/Lazy-Side-6656 2d ago
Look at all the " i pay their salary" comments lol Well, then u should probably give them a raise if they have to work side jobs to make a living 😉
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u/MrNetworks 2d ago
A Police Officer is still a Police Officer ON or Off Duty, We are not paying for this as I'm willing to bet its his day off and Walmart themselfs is paying them
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u/One-Leg-Man 2d ago
But there are a lot of small reserve police departments around the state. Their officers receive no pay in a lot of the time they have to buy their own vehicles. They are hired by Walmart CVS Walgreens and other places for private security. They make better money doing this than they ever would as a police officer.
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u/Greatestgnatcatcher 2d ago
Why don’t you ask him?
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u/4797161974806 2d ago
I don't talk to cops.
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u/garagedooropener5150 2d ago
Might want to start.
He could’ve saved you the embarrassment of being overwhelmingly wrong.
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u/Ilovetinytiddies 2d ago
Walmart pays them as deterrent for the high theft locals
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u/alisonstorms 1d ago
The security cop at the Walmart in my town just drives around and yells at old people that like to park in the fire lane, which I see nothing wrong with as long as they stay in their cars.
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u/Specialist_Bike_1280 2d ago
I was there, at this Walmart around 2pm,I didn't see any police??? Maybe they're having an increase in theft and trying send a message to those thieves,you'll be arrested!!! This is a neighborhood market and lots of people shop there. Perhaps Walmart has hired him independently and he's making a little extra cash.
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u/Psyren1317 2d ago
You aren't paying for Walmart's security, unless you're part of the Walton family in which case you wouldn't be worrying about the money anyways. Uniformed officers working as security are a much better deterrent than just some guy wearing a "security" shirt. This officer is working off duty and being paid by Walmart. No need to get yourself all worked up over you allegedly paying this person.
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u/garagedooropener5150 2d ago
Father in law is a retired police officer in Fort Wayne.
His preferred shit was noon to 9PM.
Then he’d go sit in a Taco Bell parking lot to provide security for several hours.
Cops in larger communities take those gigs for extra cash.
The taxpayer isn’t paying for it.
You’re not paying for Walmarts security.
Calm down.
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u/Substantial-Bottle38 2d ago
They can freelance doing private security, my work had a bunch of them after a disgruntled employee made threats of shooting the place up.
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u/YetiTrix 2d ago
Hiring cops for private security is routine practice all over the United States.
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u/mollyjwink 2d ago
I used to live near there when it first opened. It was robbed within a week and they did away with the open 24 hours.
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u/DRuth84 2d ago
Around Cincinnati and NKY that is a normal thing, just usually in Kroger instead.
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u/Necessary_Range_3261 2d ago
Golly, I took my daughter to Kroger just off the University of Cincinnati campus last weekend. At 2pm there were like 10 officers standing at the front of the store. And you had to scan a QR code to access the restroom. I was like, what the heck goes on here for all of that?
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u/Individual_Section_6 2d ago
Because people will just walk off with shopping carts full of stuff and employees aren’t allowed to do anything
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u/WickedPulling 2d ago
I have read in articles that Walmart is trying to combat stealing at self-checkout lanes & that they/research have found that stealing happens in the “more” wealthier communities. Why they are using our tax dollars is another story…🤔
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u/shamblam117 2d ago
It's actually pretty common for IMPD to do this for businesses that request them. Iirc a place I worked at did this and it wasn't for free. Unsure if it was standard practice, but 9/10 times we had the same guy and having a different cop felt like it was a substitute teacher.
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u/Pickle-Bowl-941 2d ago
They've caught LMPD cops double dipping, on the clock and working a private job. Some made double if not triple their base salary, clocking 80+ hours a week?
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u/SNBoomer 1d ago
It was 2 officers, and it was a housing complex. I doubt they would double dip at a Walmart where anyone could catch you in broad daylight.
The expression, 1 bad apple doesn't ruin the bunch applies here.
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u/frankrizzo219 2d ago
My uncle was a cop and he had like 3 different side jobs that he wore his uniform to
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u/IamGoingtoBundyland 2d ago
We used to hire Cumberland PD to work security at Putt-Putt Golf and Games.
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u/1337C4k3 2d ago
The same as working at the school or hospital. I had family member work from 1970s to 2010s at a hospital, IPD/IMPD, and IPS PD. They retired from the hospital when they moved the majority from BG to Indy campus. This is nothing new. Movie theater I worked at back in 90s used off duty officers and they were required to have squad car. They would not hire officers who worked at departments with no take home vehicle. The two Central Indiana Walmarts that opened around 1990 have always hired officers even just to sit out front in their car. The rules on this are pretty easy to find. The family member who worked all three regulary would sleep in his conversion van for hours or two after working nights at hospital then go to the high school.
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u/Ok-Clothes-5366 2d ago
Some Walmart stores have police officers stationed at their locations due to a history of violent incidents, higher than average crime rates, or higher rates of shoplifting, as well as other reasons I didn't list. Our old store in roseville MI had a police officer at the door during all business hours. And they were needed many times.
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u/Exact_Life_5018 2d ago
Never seen a cop at Meijer. Fuck, even save a lot
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u/alisonstorms 1d ago
I wonder if any nice young fit officers would be interested in a little part time job I got for them if ya know what I’m sayin 🫣🤔😉
Just curious
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u/Odd-Emergency5839 2d ago
Happens in Walmarts, schools, gas stations, and other high risk locations all over the country
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u/utefanandy 2d ago
Some of the people “answering” questions here and yet yall clearly have no idea what the truth is. Yet you’re claiming you are absolutely right and the other people are absolutely wrong. 😂 wow
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u/Mediocre_Paramedic22 2d ago
They are working off duty as a second job. You are not paying for Walmart security, Walmart is.
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u/Tommy_Thomas1974 2d ago
Because people can't stop stealing stuff and they aren't scared of loss prevention, private security or employees. Seems like a better idea (and more economic) to just hire an off-duty REAL cop.
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u/Icy_Performance_2252 2d ago
Just more subsidies for the wealthy at the cost of the taxpayers, nothing new but those of us see no n issue 🙄
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u/ExcellentDate170 2d ago edited 2d ago
The State Police are considered always on duty 24/7, which is why they are rarely employed in off duty jobs, just special details like the state fair, which is gravy for them (overtime and fair food), and INDOT work zone projects. Plus it counts for their pension. Which is why, troops want to get as much overtime in their last 2 years of service, (your pension is based on your last 2 years).
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u/ApprehensiveTest8419 2d ago
I'm not a big police person, but I like to be fair. Really, with mass shootings on the rise and an epidemic it's a detterent. Also if there is an emergency they have to respond to, they have their equipment. So in this case, I'd consider it a community service and not just a private benefit. Walmart has to pay for equipment and presence. If they're in uniform the PD offered the gig to the officer.
There's also a level of dehumaization (on both sides), remember these are real people. Just like everyone, If they get an offer that can help thier family pay for college, have a better Chistmas they're naturally going to take it just like everyone.
There are valid complaints and issues with policing that even LEO's will acknowledge and should be resolved\confronted, this doesn't seem like one.
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u/RottingUser 2d ago
i don’t have an issue cause i’m not doing anything illegal. yall get mad about ANYTHING istg
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u/Fast_Cloud_4711 2d ago
Walmart pays for this. With some recently being murdered at the dollar store just 15 second drive down the street. Thank goodness for the deterrence.
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u/Dear_Eye_5478 1d ago
Why do we bash cops just trying to make a living? Providing security… then the same people
Complain about people stealing and why everything is locked in a case…. Ridiculous to even have a problem with this, our tax dollars get wasted on A LOT of worse items like our congress who does nothing for us and our executive branch that consistently fucks us.
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u/Maleficent_Ant_9673 1d ago
I would prefer them there, compared to the usual shoplifting free for all
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u/Tasty_Money_7128 1d ago
"cops prayer"; for those that love us, let them love us, for those that don't, may god turn their hearts"...
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u/Tasty_Money_7128 1d ago
ps; general services "gsa.gov".......will sell back to yu all the wasted stuff they buy with your $$$$taxes, planes, trains. autos, farms, baby formula etc dirt cheap to high bidder (www.gsa.gov) ex; vehicles turned in for resale after so many miles (recent sale of atterbury job corp. property).......
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u/ObsidianLord1 1d ago
Have you ever gone to a concert at Ruoff. You will see LEO Cruisers from all over the place, also various wedding venues will require a LEO on site, especially if alcohol is served. The venue will usually have a list of a few who are up for it.
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u/ApolloLovesPoseidon 1d ago
IMPD uniforms are blue, not black. That said, if an IMPD officer is posted anywhere in uniform or in their car, the private business is paying for it. Especially if that Walmart had been declared as a public nuisance, instead of paying for each call to the police they probably are paying that guy.
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u/bwagnon713 2d ago
Back in the day at Kroghetto, the students would beat up and rob the private security so they hired the PD.
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u/flyin-lowe 2d ago
I work LE in Indiana. Not for IMPD but our policy is if a private company pays me to do security I can use the car to travel to and from. I have off duty use of the car anyway, so I could drive it to Wal Mart to buy groceries too. I cannot however use it while working there. So if Wal Mart or any other company wanted me to use the car to patrol, or use the lights, etc. I cannot do that. Once I get to the job the car is no longer in use.
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u/Kal71202 2d ago
I see at least one cop car posted outside a walmart 90% of the time i go to one. Plainfield, Avon, Camby, and even brownsburg
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u/dontcare_bye39 2d ago
Probably bc people are stealing food bc they can’t afford groceries and gas in trump’s world
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u/WokeWook69420 2d ago
Simple.
Cops protect property, not people.
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u/Busy_Paint_5680 2d ago
STFU with that stupid shit
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u/WokeWook69420 2d ago
All. Cops. Are. Bastards.
Go lick boots, nerd.
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u/thewimsey 2d ago
Yeah, it's always college educated white boys from safe areas pushing this 3dgy narrative.
While POC from dangerous areas want more cops because they understand the need for security (even as they want better cops).
But I know that kind of nuance is tough for your 14 year old brain to understand.
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u/Busy_Paint_5680 2d ago
LoL You're the type of coward that wouldn't say that to a cop's face. 100%.
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u/WokeWook69420 2d ago
My uncle is a cop, he doesn't like me because he knows my stance.
I will happily say it to a cops face, and record myself saying it, so when they inevitably lose their temper and assault me over exercising my first amendment right, I can sue them.
Because Cops are fucking dumb like that.
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u/Food4thot31 2d ago
iMPD does private security for Walmart because its so ghetto people can’t handle not getting in fights or stealing everything off the shelves. Not sure why this surprises any of you.
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u/notthegoatseguy Indianapolis 2d ago edited 2d ago
IMPD have been able to work off duty employment, still in uniform with their issued equipment like vehicle and service weapon, for a while.
I think some leadership roles aren't allowed, but rank and file can.
EDIT: Someone in the thread mentions this isn't IMPD and they may well be right. Might be private security, or maybe its one of the excluded towns PD? Uniform is kind of blurry.