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5 Major Facts About The Gary Indiana Police Dept: New Chief, Crime Drop, And Body Camera Rollout In 2025

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The Gary Police Department (GPD) is currently undergoing one of its most transformative periods, marked by significant crime reduction, new leadership, and a complete overhaul of its operational technology. As of late 2025, the department is actively showcasing the results of collaborative law enforcement strategies and a renewed focus on community-based policing, leading to measurable improvements in public safety across the City of Gary, Indiana.

This period of change follows the conclusion of a major four-year federal partnership and the implementation of key technological and administrative reforms, positioning the GPD to tackle the city’s long-standing challenges with modern tools and a commitment to transparency. The following details provide the most current and essential facts about the GPD’s structure, performance, and future initiatives.

Chief Derrick Cannon Sr.: A Deep Dive into the GPD’s New Leadership Profile

The leadership of the Gary Police Department has been entrusted to a local veteran, Chief Derrick Cannon Sr., who was appointed by Mayor Eddie Melton. His biography reflects a deep, lifelong connection to the city he now serves.

  • Born and Raised: Derrick Cannon is a native of Gary, Indiana, and graduated from William A. Wirt High School.
  • Department Tenure: He is a 24-year veteran of the Gary Police Department, bringing decades of on-the-ground experience to the Chief's office.
  • Previous Rank: Prior to his appointment as Chief, Cannon served as Captain of the Uniform Division.
  • Education: Chief Cannon is highly educated, holding both undergraduate and graduate degrees from Indiana University Northwest (IU Northwest). His focus on education helped position him for a leadership role centered on community-based policing.
  • Specialized Role: He has also served as a federal law enforcement task force officer, demonstrating experience in high-level, multi-agency operations.

Chief Cannon’s administrative team includes Deputy Chief Brian Evans, Commander Justin Clark of Investigative Services, and Commander Victor of Supportive Services, forming the core administrative staff driving the department’s mission.

GPD’s 2025 Mid-Year Public Safety Report: A Significant Crime Reduction Success

The most compelling news from the Gary Police Department in 2025 revolves around a documented and significant decline in violent crime, a testament to the department’s proactive policing strategies and collaborative partnerships.

Key Crime Statistics and Performance Metrics (2024-2025):

  • Homicide Decline: The city saw a 23% decline in homicides in 2024 compared to the previous period.
  • Non-Fatal Shootings: Non-fatal shootings dropped by 26%, from 75 incidents to 55 incidents.
  • Firearm Recovery Increase: Collaborative strategies with the ATF and the U.S. Attorney’s Office led to a nearly 41.4% increase in firearms recovered from violent offenders, rising from 261 to 369 between 2024 and 2025.
  • Strategy Credit: Police officials attribute this success to increased patrols, proactive policing, and the use of intelligence-led operations.

These figures were highlighted in the GPD’s 2025 Mid-Year Public Safety Report, which details a significant year of progress in crime reduction across the city.

The End of an Era: Conclusion of the Federal PSP Program and New Funding

The GPD’s recent success coincides with the conclusion of a major four-year federal initiative. In September 2025, the Gary Police Department officially wrapped up its partnership with the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance, known as the Public Safety Partnership (PSP).

The PSP program was instrumental in helping the department drive down violent crime, providing resources and expertise that contributed directly to the reported declines in homicides and non-fatal shootings. The experience gained from the PSP is expected to inform the GPD’s ongoing crime prevention efforts.

New Funding and Technology Initiatives

To ensure this momentum continues, the department has secured new financial resources. Congressman Frank Mrvan and Chief Cannon announced that the GPD received $264,000 in Community Project Funding.

  • Body Camera Program: A major technological leap is the official launch of the body camera program. This initiative, one of the largest in Northwest Indiana, is a critical step toward increasing transparency and accountability between officers and the community.
  • Real Time Crime Center (RTCC): The GPD is utilizing its Real Time Crime Center as a central hub for intelligence-led policing, supporting proactive strategies and rapid response capabilities.

The combination of federal program experience and new technology is designed to create a more efficient and accountable law enforcement agency for the citizens of Gary.

Accountability, Reform, and High-Profile Cases

While celebrating crime reduction success, the GPD is also navigating internal challenges and a continued push for systemic reform and transparency. The department is not immune to the issues facing modern policing, and it has taken steps to address them.

Commitment to Reform

Elected officials in Gary have committed to reexamining the department’s operations by planning to establish a police reform commission. This move is part of a broader national movement to ensure police practices are fair, equitable, and community-focused.

Furthermore, the department has concluded a reform process that involved collaboration with the Indiana State Police, an initiative aimed at strengthening internal procedures and protocols.

Recent High-Profile Incidents

The GPD has publicly addressed several sensitive matters, underscoring the need for accountability:

  • Former Officer Conviction: A former Gary Police Department officer was sentenced to one year and a day in prison for using excessive force, a case that highlights the federal government's role in monitoring police conduct.
  • Internal Investigations: The department has issued official statements regarding an investigation following a police response to an armed subject and the arrest of Sergeant Jamaal Joseph, demonstrating a commitment to internal oversight.
  • Missing Persons: The GPD and the FBI have collaborated and sought the public's help in locating missing persons, such as the search for a missing Gary teenager in late 2024, showing the department’s commitment to major investigations.

The Future of Community-Based Policing in Gary

The Gary Police Department’s mission is clearly defined: to work in partnership with the citizens of Gary to improve the quality of life by enforcing the laws. This mission is being realized through dedicated community engagement and specialized programs.

The department actively promotes violence prevention through a multi-faceted approach, including establishing safe community spaces and partnering with local non-profits and agencies. The goal is to develop programs that engage and empower the community, moving beyond traditional enforcement to address the root causes of crime.

This holistic approach, led by Chief Cannon, represents a significant shift in Northwest Indiana law enforcement, prioritizing community trust and collaborative problem-solving to sustain the positive public safety trends reported in 2025. The ongoing success of the GPD will be measured not just by crime statistics, but by the strength of its relationship with the people of Gary.

5 Major Facts About the Gary Indiana Police Dept: New Chief, Crime Drop, and Body Camera Rollout in 2025
gary indiana police dept
gary indiana police dept

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