Reject the Governor's Unchecked Military Police
House Bill 1343 has passed the House in a 67-29 vote and is advancing to the Senate. Buried in a bill for veterans affairs, H.B. 1343 would authorize the governor to establish and deploy a military police force from the Indiana National Guard anywhere in the state “at any time the governor considers necessary,” without requiring consent from local elected officials. Under H.B. 1343, this military police force would have broad powers to make arrests, conduct searches and seizures, carry firearms, and exercise other police powers with respect to the enforcement of Indiana laws. The governor would only need to provide “reasonable notice” to local law enforcement and coordinate with them “as circumstances permit.” Rather than respecting local democratic control and established emergency protocols, H.B. 1343 concentrates power in the governor’s hands to deploy forces in communities without meaningful checks or balances. Call your Senator to insist that they reject H.B. 1343.
Contacts for this topic:
Hi, my name is [NAME] and I’m a constituent from [CITY, ZIP].
I’m calling to urge [REP/SEN NAME] to oppose H.B. 1343 because it grants the governor unchecked power to deploy military police in our communities without local consent. This bill undermines democratic accountability and local control and must be opposed.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
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