INDIANAPOLIS – The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department’s new chief rounded out his command staff.
Chief Chris Bailey appointed four veteran officers and established a new IMPD bureau that aims to integrate mental health considerations into law enforcement practices.
The four officers are:
- Major Tabatha McLemore, appointed to Operations Support Bureau
- Commander Nikole Pilkington, appointed commander of Southwest District
- Commander Jeffrey Silcox, appointed commander of the Training Academy
- Major Michael Leepper, appointed commander of East District
Operations Support Bureau
Part of IMPD’s efforts to modernize and change with the times, the Operations Support Bureau will oversee various units, including the Mobile Crisis Assistance Team (MCAT) and the Homeless Outreach Unit, and act as a liaison between the Clinician-Led Community Response Team (CLCR), the Office of Public Health and Safety (OPHS), and other mental health providers.
It “aims to integrate mental health considerations into law enforcement practices, promote collaboration, and enhance community-oriented policing efforts.”
The bureau won’t be limited to responding to mental health incidents, but it will serve as a hub for mental health resources.
“As we adapt to the evolving landscape of law enforcement, IMPD remains committed to meeting the needs of our community, particularly when it comes to mental health. The creation of the Operations Support Bureau signifies our proactive approach to addressing these critical issues,” Bailey said in a news release.
The Operations Support Bureau will have oversight over the Indianapolis Park Rangers, Public Safety Officers and Public Assistance Officers.
Major Tabatha McLemore
McLemore is a 21-year veteran of IMPD, with her law enforcement career beginning in 2003. She was promoted to the rank of sergeant in 2016 and became a lieutenant in 2021.
She has overseen several critical units such as the Homeless Unit, Downtown General Detectives, Downtown Violent Crimes Task Force (VCTF) and Bikes. She assumed control of the Mobile Crisis Assistance Team (MCAT) in November 2021.
She serves as vice chair of the Sandra Eskenazi Mental Health Center (SEMHC) Advisory Board and is part of the Indianapolis Airport Public Safety Advisory Group.
She participated in the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) panel on Homelessness and Law Enforcement in Washington, D.C. She was invited to speak at the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) National Research Conference.
Her husband, K9 Sgt. Anthony McLemore, also works for IMPD. They have three daughters.
Commander Nikole Pilkington
Pilkington joined IMPD as part of the 4th IMPD Recruit Class in April 2008. She served as a patrol officer until 2016 and also worked as a community relations officer.
In 2016, Pilkington moved to investigations and was assigned to the Missing Persons Unit. A year later, in 2017, she served as executive officer to the deputy chief of investigations. In 2018, she was promoted to sergeant and assigned to the Training Academy. She moved to recruit training in 2021 and was promoted to lieutenant in 2023, eventually being put in charge of the Firearms Training Unit.
A 2015 graduate of the Leadership Academy, Pilkington is an Indiana Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) certified instructor, as well as a certified instructor for Fair & And Impartial Policing and ABLE (Active Bystandership for Law Enforcement).
Before joining IMPD, Pilkington played basketball at Ball State University and served as a juvenile probation officer in Marion County. She’s married and has two children.
Commander Jeffrey Silcox
Silcox graduated from the police academy at Indiana University in 1997 and has been with IMPD for 25 years, serving in various roles with the department. Before his promotion to sergeant in 2005, he worked as a uniformed officer and field training officer. He was awarded the Medal of Valor in 2005.
During his 16 years as a sergeant, he served as street supervisor, a field training officer specialist and a detective sergeant. He worked in multiple roles at the IMPD Training Academy.
Silcox was promoted to lieutenant in 2021. He served as the in-service unit supervisor and also provided oversight of the IMPD Leadership Academy. He’s been an instructor for 20 years and maintains various certifications.
A graduate of the very first IMPD Leadership Academy Class (2010-2011), Silcox earned his undergraduate degree at Indiana University and will graduate from the FBI National Academy with a master’s certificate from the University of Virginia in March. He’s married and has three children.
Commander Michael Leepper
A 19-year IMPD veteran, Leepper served as the executive officer to the chief of police and as the major overseeing IMPD’s Nightwatch. He spent 10 years as a patrol and field training officer in various East District shifts.
After becoming a sergeant, Leepper served on Southeast District late shift and at the IMPD Training Academy, overseeing recruit training and the physical fitness program. Later promotions to lieutenant and captain saw him in various roles, including East District late shift lieutenant, Training Academy lieutenant, East District middle shift lieutenant, Nightwatch major and captain for Southwest and East districts.
Leepper has been awarded the Medal of Valor, Medal of Bravery, East District Officer of the Year, Downtown District Officer of the Year, and Supervisor of the Year. He’s a graduate of FBI National Academy Session 283, Senior Management Institute for Police Session 83 and IMPD Leadership Academy.
Leepper earned his associate degree from Vincennes University and his bachelor’s degree from Indiana University. An infantry officer in the Indiana Army National Guard, he’s been with his husband for 15 years.
