# Indiana

Indiana’s Law Enforcement Training Board certifies officers through the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA), may revoke or restrict certification on listed grounds, and by statute must post decertified officers’ names and send them to the National Decertification Index. Since 2023 the State has raised the basic course to 600 hours, set a process for prosecutor Giglio lists, widened the records a hiring agency must request, made local civilian oversight boards advisory only, and let the Board waive basic training for experienced out-of-state officers.

Source: https://uscli.org/officer-certification-tracker/indiana

## At a glance

- **Certifying body:** Law Enforcement Training Board, with the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) and its executive director. The Board issues basic-training certificates and “may revoke, suspend, modify, or restrict” a certificate or any authority to act as a law enforcement officer ([Ind. Code 5-2-1-9, 5-2-1-12.5](https://iga.in.gov/ic/2026/Title_5/Article_2/Chapter_1.pdf)). Since July 1, 2026 the executive director serves at the Board’s pleasure instead of on a 4-year contract.
- **Statute:** Ind. Code 5-2-1 (Board, training, decertification); 36-8-2-2 (pre-hiring records request); 33-39-12 (prosecutor Giglio lists, 2025); 36-8-29.1 (civilian oversight boards advisory only, 2026); 5-14-3-5.1 and 5-14-3-5.2 (law enforcement recordings); 35-41-3-3 (use of force in arrest). Rules: [250 IAC 2](https://iar.iga.in.gov/code/2026/250/2).
- **Minimum standards:** Officers must complete Board-approved basic training or lose enforcement authority; a pre-basic course authorizes powers for one year (5-2-1-9(d) and (e)). The phrase “within one (1) year from the date of original appointment” in 5-2-1-9(d) was inserted by P.L.94-2026 and appears only in that version of the section (see below). The Tier I basic course is at least 600 hours (250 IAC 2-4-1). By rule, applicants must be U.S. citizens, 21 by the end of basic training, high school graduates, and licensed drivers, of good character by agency background investigation, with no felony or crimes showing a propensity for violence or lawbreaking, checked by local, state, and national fingerprint search (250 IAC 2-3). Before hiring any officer, including a reserve, the agency “shall” request each prior law enforcement employer’s employment file and, since July 1, 2026, “all documents related to disciplinary action or internal investigations” ([36-8-2-2](https://iga.in.gov/ic/2026/Title_36/Article_8/Chapter_2.pdf)).
- **Decertification:** Discretionary: the Board “may revoke, suspend, modify, or restrict” for a felony conviction; a misdemeanor conviction showing the officer is dangerous or violent or has a propensity to violate the law; a finding of not guilty of a felony by reason of insanity; a certificate issued in error or on false information; or conduct amounting to those offenses even without a charge. Agencies “shall report” discipline on these grounds, and resignations or retirements before a finding, within 30 days. The officer gets written charges and may relinquish or ask for an evidentiary hearing before a Board subcommittee, with judicial review under IC 4-21.5-5. Since July 1, 2023 this covers police reserve officers, including volunteers. A decertified officer may petition for reinstatement (5-2-1-12.5).
- **Public decertification list:** Yes, by statute. The Board “shall include the name of any law enforcement officer who has been decertified on the website of the Indiana law enforcement academy” (5-2-1-12.5(m)). ILEA posts a [Certificate Decertification List](https://www.in.gov/ilea/decertification/) (dated June 15, 2026).
- **National Decertification Index:** Reporting required by statute. The Board “shall transmit the officer’s name for inclusion on the decertification index maintained by the International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training” (5-2-1-12.5(m)). 250 IAC 2 does not mention it.
- **Continuing training:** At least 24 hours of in-service training each calendar year to stay eligible for employment, including at least 2 hours of firearms, 4 hours of active participation in defensive tactics and use of force, and 2 hours of police vehicle operations ([250 IAC 2-7-1](https://iar.iga.in.gov/code/2026/250/2)). Agencies file the annual training report by January 31. By statute, in-service training must cover de-escalation, mental illness and disability response, human trafficking, and, after 2024, officer mental health and wellness (5-2-1-9).

## Changes, 2023 to 2026

- Jul 1, 2026 — **Basic-training waiver for experienced out-of-state officers; ILEA director serves at the Board’s pleasure** — P.L.94-2026 (HEA 1343), secs. 4 and 5, amending Ind. Code 5-2-1-9 and 5-2-1-14 · Signed March 4, 2026; effective July 1, 2026 — The Board “may waive some or all of the basic training requirements” for an out-of-state officer with at least 10 years of paid full-time experience after a state-approved academy, who has not been out of law enforcement more than 6 years. It “may waive” basic training for an out-of-state officer with at least 1 year of full-time experience after an academy that meets or exceeds Indiana’s basic requirements. “Waiver applicants must be in good standing with all previous law enforcement employers.” Sec. 4 also inserted “within one (1) year from the date of original appointment” into 5-2-1-9(d). Sec. 5 makes the ILEA executive director serve at the Board’s pleasure. — The Indiana Code 2026 prints two versions of 5-2-1-9. The other, from P.L.145-2026 (SEA 80, the code publication act, signed March 12, 2026), changes only a cross-reference and does not contain the waiver. The bill's official digest says it makes no substantive change to law. The two versions can be read together, so the waiver text very likely operates, but formal reconciliation awaits a later technical-corrections or code publication act. None had been enacted as of October 19, 2026. — **For officers:** If you transfer from another state, you may qualify for a full or partial basic-training waiver if you left every prior agency in good standing. — [HEA 1343 (2026), enrolled](https://iga.in.gov/pdf-documents/124/2026/house/bills/HB1343/HB1343.07.ENRS.pdf)[SEA 80 (2026), enrolled](https://iga.in.gov/pdf-documents/124/2026/senate/bills/SB0080/SB0080.04.ENRH.pdf)[Ind. Code 5-2-1 (2026)](https://iga.in.gov/ic/2026/Title_5/Article_2/Chapter_1.pdf)
- Jul 1, 2026 — **Pre-hiring request now covers all disciplinary and internal-investigation documents** — P.L.57-2026 (HEA 1250), sec. 6, amending Ind. Code 36-8-2-2(b) · Signed March 3, 2026; effective July 1, 2026 — Before hiring an officer, including a reserve, the agency “shall” request from every current and prior law enforcement employer “a complete and unredacted copy of all documents related to disciplinary action or internal investigations” involving the officer. Before, the request covered only findings and orders. The duty to respond within 10 business days, the rule that nondisclosure agreements do not bar compliance, and immunity for good-faith compliance are unchanged. — **For officers:** A hiring agency will now see your full disciplinary and internal-investigation files, not just the findings. — [HEA 1250 (2026), enrolled](https://iga.in.gov/pdf-documents/124/2026/house/bills/HB1250/HB1250.04.ENRS.pdf)[Ind. Code 36-8-2 (2026)](https://iga.in.gov/ic/2026/Title_36/Article_8/Chapter_2.pdf)
- Jul 1, 2026 — **Local civilian oversight boards limited to an advisory role** — P.L.137-2026 (SEA 284), new Ind. Code 36-8-29.1 · Signed March 5, 2026; effective July 1, 2026 — A civilian oversight board, commission, or other entity that any unit (county, city, town, or township) creates to oversee a law enforcement agency, whether it existed on July 1, 2026 or is created later, “may operate only in an advisory capacity” and “does not have binding authority over the law enforcement agency.” Merit boards and commissions under IC 36-8-3.5 are excluded. — **For officers:** A local civilian board can recommend but cannot impose discipline on you. — [SEA 284 (2026), enrolled](https://iga.in.gov/pdf-documents/124/2026/senate/bills/SB0284/SB0284.04.ENRH.pdf)
- Jul 1, 2025 — **Prosecutor Giglio lists: agency reporting, independent review, notice to the officer, and reconsideration** — P.L.93-2025 (HEA 1471), new Ind. Code 33-39-12 and 34-30-2.1-550.5 · Signed April 16, 2025; effective July 1, 2025 — The chapter governs lists a prosecutor chooses to keep; it does not require one. Each agency’s Giglio designee “shall notify” the prosecutor if, after a criminal or internal investigation, an officer is found to have committed or is charged with intentional dishonesty (including material untruthfulness in reports or testimony), a crime, intentional mishandling of evidence, excessive force, or racially motivated bias, speech, or acts, and must report discipline for those offenses. The prosecutor “shall independently review” and, if it lists an officer, give written notice through the employer of the officer’s right to request materials, add information, and seek reconsideration within 30 days or on changed circumstances. Prosecutors that keep lists must adopt policies and may not disclose a list beyond required criminal discovery. An agency may not discipline an officer “because” of listing, but may for the underlying conduct proven in a disciplinary proceeding. Prosecutors are immune from civil liability for listing. Brady and Giglio disclosure duties are unchanged. — **For officers:** If a prosecutor lists you, you must get written notice through your employer and can ask for reconsideration. — [HEA 1471 (2025), enrolled](https://iga.in.gov/pdf-documents/124/2025/house/bills/HB1471/HB1471.05.ENRS.pdf)
- Mar 9, 2024 — **Hands-on use-of-force in-service training doubled to 4 hours** — 250 IAC 2-7-1 and 2-8-3, amended (LSA #23-732) · Approved by the Governor February 6, 2024; filed February 8, 2024; effective March 9, 2024 — Annual in-service training must include “four (4) hours of active participation” in defensive tactics and use of force, up from 2 hours. The annual training status report is now due by January 31, instead of between January 1 and March 31. — **For officers:** Plan for 4 hands-on hours of defensive tactics and use of force each year. — [Indiana Register, LSA #23-732](https://iar.iga.in.gov/register/20240306-IR-250230732FRA)
- Mar 7, 2024 — **Basic course raised from 480 to 600 hours** — 250 IAC 2-2-1, 2-2-3, 2-2-4, and 2-4-1, amended (LSA #23-731) · Approved by the Governor February 1, 2024; filed February 6, 2024; effective March 7, 2024 — The Tier I minimum basic course rises from 480 to 600 hours. The rule sets how a waiver applicant’s prior training is evaluated, lets an officer who missed the basic-training deadline regain authority by completing a later course, and lists the agencies that may use the 320-hour Tier II program: town and conservancy district marshals, hospital police, gaming agents, Department of Correction police, and Capitol Police. — **For officers:** New Tier I recruits face a 600-hour academy. — [Indiana Register, LSA #23-731](https://iar.iga.in.gov/register/20240306-IR-250230731FRA)
- Jul 1, 2023 — **Reserve officers brought under decertification and the pre-hiring records check** — P.L.173-2023 (SEA 187), secs. 1 and 3, amending Ind. Code 5-2-1-2 and 36-8-2-2 · Signed May 4, 2023; effective July 1, 2023 — For decertification, “law enforcement officer” now “includes a police reserve officer (as described in IC 36-8-3-20), even if the police reserve officer works as a volunteer.” The duty to contact every prior law enforcement employer and obtain the employment file and disciplinary records before hiring now applies to reserve officers. The act also puts Indianapolis park rangers hired after June 30, 2023 through full officer training. — **For officers:** Volunteer reserves can now be decertified like full-time officers. — [SEA 187 (2023), enrolled](https://iga.in.gov/pdf-documents/123/2023/senate/bills/SB0187/SB0187.06.ENRH.pdf)
- Jul 1, 2023 — **Officer mental health and wellness training** — P.L.139-2023 (HEA 1321), amending Ind. Code 5-2-1-9 · Signed May 1, 2023; effective July 1, 2023; training duties apply after December 31, 2024 — The Board must set standards for basic and annual in-service training, after December 31, 2024, on officer mental health and wellness: coping skills, recognizing symptoms of PTSD and suicidal behavior, and available resources. Executive training must include wellness and suicide prevention. The training may be given online. — **For officers:** Expect wellness and suicide-prevention content in your annual in-service hours. — [Ind. Code 5-2-1 (2023)](https://iga.in.gov/ic/2023/Title_5/Article_2/Chapter_1.pdf)
- Jul 1, 2023 — **Hospital police and conservancy district marshals added to officer definitions** — P.L.122-2023 (HEA 1055) · Signed May 1, 2023; effective July 1, 2023 — Hospital police officers and conservancy district marshals and deputy marshals are added to certain definitions of law enforcement officer. The Board must adopt a Tier II basic training program for conservancy district marshals. Tier II graduates may now serve in town marshal systems and conservancy districts that have up to six deputies, up from two. — **For officers:** Hospital police and conservancy marshals now follow Board training rules. — [HEA 1055 (2023), enrolled](https://iga.in.gov/pdf-documents/123/2023/house/bills/HB1055/HB1055.05.ENRS.pdf)
- Jul 1, 2023 — **Copy fees for law enforcement recordings may include redaction labor** — P.L.64-2023 (HEA 1142), amending Ind. Code 5-14-3-2, 5-14-3-3, and 5-14-3-5.2 · Signed April 20, 2023; effective July 1, 2023 — The “direct cost” an agency may charge for a copy of a law enforcement recording now includes the labor to obscure nondisclosable information and to check that it was obscured. If an attorney does that work, the charge may not exceed reasonable attorney’s fees. When a court orders a recording disclosed, “any copy of the recording must be made by the public agency.” — **For officers:** No new duty for officers. — [HEA 1142 (2023), enrolled](https://iga.in.gov/pdf-documents/123/2023/house/bills/HB1142/HB1142.04.ENRS.pdf)

## Not yet in force and pending

- **Reconciling the two versions of 5-2-1-9:** the P.L.94-2026 waiver and the P.L.145-2026 cross-reference change await a later technical-corrections or code publication act (see above). [Ind. Code 5-2-1 (2026)](https://iga.in.gov/ic/2026/Title_5/Article_2/Chapter_1.pdf)

The 2026 session has ended. P.L.207-2023 (HEA 1016, police merit systems) and P.L.131-2025 (SEA 259, custodial questioning) were flagged in review, but their texts could not be opened on iga.in.gov on October 19, 2026, so they are not listed. No Board rule carrying out 5-2-1-12.5(o) (decertification procedure) was found in 250 IAC.

## Checked and unchanged

- Ind. Code 5-2-1-12.5 (decertification grounds, website list, national index): only a technical amendment (P.L.1-2025). Ind. Code 35-41-3 (use of force): no substantive change 2022–2026.
- 250 IAC 2 was readopted without change in 2023. LSA #24-417 (2025) adds course and recertification fees only.
- No Indiana statute or rule on officer face coverings or visible identification was found among 2023–2026 enrolled acts. P.L.112-2026 (SEA 160) makes wearing a mask while committing a crime a sentencing aggravator; it applies to offenders, not officers.
- Not counted: P.L.20-2025 (SEA 95, training-cost reimbursement between employers); P.L.67-2023 (HEA 1186) and P.L.4-2025 (HEA 1122), the 25-foot offense for approaching officers; P.L.97-2026 (HEA 1360, general public-records rules).