INDIANAPOLIS — Wives of fallen police officers, family members of current law enforcement members and people from the community joined together Saturday for the Hoosiers Back the Blue Rally.
Dozens gathered on the south lawn of the Indiana Statehouse. Their message is one directly to law enforcement officers. They want them to know they have supporters.
It comes as protests across the country have been held in recent weeks following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
RTV6 talked to a former Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officer who is now a state senator. He said the rally also focused on how to facilitate communication between citizens and law enforcement officers in order to provoke change.
"I think for police to know they have the backing of the community at large is important," State Sen. Jack Sandlin, R-Indianapolis, said. "I think we need to be able to have conversations about quality improvements at the same time, but to do that in a peaceful manner as opposed to see the destruction and burning and other things that have gone on."
A wife of a police officer also shared her perspective.
"They are here to help you," Shauna Mann, wife of a police officer, said. "If you are in danger you call 911 and they dispatch the police to you. Who is going to be there for all these domestic violence calls? There is going to be no one to help you."
The two wives of officers that RTV6 talked to said it's scary every day when their husbands put on their uniform and go to work. It's a good day when they come home safe at night.
Sandlin said officers need to put a real focus on community policing and building relationships in the communities they serve.
