Earlier this week, Chief Michael Spears suspended officer James Ingalls, accused of having sex with a prostitute while on duty. Last week, a third officer, Christopher Poindexter, was arrested on charges of filing a false police report. He is accused of trying to cover up a traffic accident involving his department-issued vehicle.

The editorial reasonably suggests that the mayor of Indianapolis must "take command" of the police department. Changing the culture of a department that instills the belief that police officers are above the law isn't an easy task. While it's sensible to examine hiring practices to make it more difficult for "rogue officers" to "slip through the screening process," the bad cops in Indianapolis have clearly been getting the message that their fellow officers will not report their unlawful behavior.

Change starts at the top. If the mayor wants to change the department's culture, he needs to start by changing the department's leaders. The mayor's decision to suspend his search for a new police chief sends the wrong message, both to the police and to the public.