Baldwin’s National Guard Bill Clears Senate
A bill sponsored by State Sen. Scott Baldwin (R-Noblesville) that would set guidelines and enhance training for the Indiana National Guard’s military police force passed the Senate by a vote of 38-10 last week.
Indiana’s constitution makes the governor the commander in chief of the Indiana National Guard and provides the governor with broad authority to deploy the National Guard. In the rare event the Guard is needed to perform police duties, House Bill 1343 would strengthen qualifications for the National Guard police force by requiring its members to complete specialized law enforcement training before obtaining any police powers.
The bill would also require the governor to give reasonable notice to local law enforcement agencies that would be affected by the National Guard police force’s activation and require it to coordinate with local law enforcement under recognized National Incident Management System guidelines.
“Local police and the Indiana National Guard have stood side by side while responding to natural disasters and civil unrest in the past. While it is rare for the Guard to perform police duties, House Bill 1343 would establish clear standards so our National Guard police force is prepared for Indiana’s worst day,” Baldwin said. “Given the current national political environment, I’ve heard criticism this bill somehow will lead to more policing by the National Guard. That is not the intent or the effect of this bill. The question is this: In those instances when the Guard does perform police duties in our state, don’t we want them to be equipped with the highest level of training possible? This is the right thing to do to protect Hoosier communities, our Guardsmen and ensure the Indiana National Guard maintains the highest level of public trust and professionalism.”
HB 1343 now returns to the House for further consideration.
Baldwin represents Senate District 20, which includes Noblesville, Carmel, Cicero and unincorporated areas of Hamilton County.