INDIANAPOLIS – Today, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Chief Randal Taylor announced changes in the IMPD command staff. An appointment ceremony with Mayor Joe Hogsett was held in the Chief’s Office this afternoon. All four appointees are tenured leaders within the agency and will continue to further IMPD’s commitment to 21st Century policing, service, transparency, and partnership with the community. These historic additions to the command staff will create the first all-female appointed staff within the IMPD Training Bureau.
“With today’s historic appointments, we continue our efforts to create a department and command staff that is reflective of the community we serve,” said Chief Taylor. “The officers of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department remain committed to reducing violence, remaining transparent, and creating impactful partnerships within the community.”
Commander Richard Riddle, East District Commander
Commander Richard Riddle has served with the IMPD for nearly 20 years. During his tenure, he has served in multiple Operational and Administrative roles. Most recently, Commander Riddle oversaw the IMPD Training Bureau within the Administration Division. Commander Riddle earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis and a Graduate Certificate from the University of Virginia in Criminal Justice Education. Commander Riddle is a graduate of the IMPD Leadership Academy Class 2010-01 and the FBI National Academy Session #251.
Commander Catherine Cummings, Training Commander of the IMPD Training Bureau
For over 20 years, Commander Catherine Cummings has served the citizens of Indianapolis. During her tenure, she has held many assignments, including her most recent assignment as the first female Major of the Investigations Division. Commander Cummings spearheaded the Behavioral Health Unit/Mobile Crisis Assistance Team (MCAT) programs. She holds an undergraduate degree in Journalism and Speech Communications, a Graduate Certificate in Homeland Security and Emergency Management and an MS in Business Psychology. In her free time, she enjoys backpacking, reading and spending time with her retired greyhound, Rosie.
Major Ida Williams, Major of the IMPD Training Bureau
Major Williams began her 30-year law enforcement career in 1988, first as a police officer for the Veterans Administration Hospital, then joining the Indianapolis Police Department. Major Williams has most recently served in the Training Bureau as the Recruiting Unit Section Supervisor. Major Williams has been innovative with her recruiting initiatives such as the Pre-Academy Readiness Program (PAR) and the Women Behind the Badge. These initiatives have helped the agency reach historic diversity numbers in recruit classes, including the recent December recruit class that was made up of nearly 30% women. Major Williams is a graduate of Indiana University Bloomington. She is the proud mother of two.
Major Matthew Thomas, Major of Investigations
Matthew Thomas has been appointed to the rank of Major within the Criminal Investigations Division. Major Thomas has been a police officer since 2005 and holds the merit rank of Lieutenant. He was most recently assigned as the Executive Officer for the Deputy Chief of the Criminal Investigations Division. Major Thomas holds a Bachelor of Science from the Indiana University School of Informatics, Certificate of Applied Computer Science from Purdue University, and Certificate in International Studies from Tec de Monterrey in Cuernavaca, Mexico. Major Thomas is married and has two children.
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