Another IPD officer criminally in trouble!!!

I'm sorry dude, you are a 16 year veteran of law enforcement, one of which puts tremendous amount of public trust in you, and you committed a very serious crime(s). Covering up your crime(s) while on duty & to this extent is a serious offense, you should clearly be fired!!!

By TheIndyChannel.com
INDIANAPOLIS -- An Indianapolis police officer recommended for termination after an investigation into a hit-and-run crash with his patrol car said he doesn't deserve to be fired.Officer Matt Elam, 40, a 16-year police veteran, told 6News' Derrik Thomas exclusively Thursday that he was shocked to learn he may lose his job."I was very upset and surprised," he said. "I know other officers have been suspended for a period of time for things that they have done wrong."

Police said Elam was involved in a minor property damage hit-and-run crash in June and then tried to cover up the damage by taking his patrol car to a private repair shop.Chief Paul Ciesielski said on Wednesday that if Elam had stayed at the scene of the crash, he would have been suspended instead of recommended for firing.

Elam's attorney, Ralph Staples, said he believes the department is overreacting after recent controversies."The administration may be reacting harshly to situations that may not call for such harsh reaction because of public clamoring now because of situations that doesn't involve Matt," he said, referring to the public outcry in the case of Officer David Bisard, who is accused of hitting and killing a motorcyclist while on duty.

Elam has been a member of the department's SWAT team for the past 12 years.He was awarded two medals for valor, including one for his actions during a 1999 hostage situation where the hostage taker, Ricky Adams, was shot and killed by the SWAT team after he killed his hostage.Elam, who is currently suspended without pay, said he just wants to return to the job he loves."I enjoy helping people.

That's why I've always wanted to be on the street, and I didn't get a desk job," he said. "When people need help, I want to be the one to show up and help them."Police would not comment further on the case. It has been referred to the Marion County Prosecutor's Office for review.