Public safety director Riggs leaving for IUPUI position

Indianapolis Public Safety Director Troy Riggs is stepping down to become director of public safety outreach at the Indiana University Public Policy Institute at IUPUI, the university announced Wednesday.

Riggs, who joined the city in late 2012, is scheduled to take on the newly created research and outreach position in August.

In addition to leading public safety outreach at IUPUI, Riggs will teach students as a clinical assistant professor with the School of Public and Environmental Affairs. He’ll also lead the Public Policy Institute’s applied research into criminal justice issues.

Riggs has worked with IUPUI in the past to conduct statistical analysis of the city’s high-crime areas by using the SAVI Community Information System. SAVI, or Social Assets and Vulnerabilities Indicators, provides local data about the social, economic, and physical conditions of neighborhoods, townships, and counties, and other geographic areas such as school districts.

“I have appreciated Troy's partnership in using and acknowledging SAVI database," IUPUI Chancellor Charles Bantz said in a written statement. "We are pleased to bring to IUPUI, SPEA and the Public Policy Institute a public safety leader who takes a data-based approach to public safety and who has worked closely with IUPUI's nationally recognized SAVI database. Our students and community will benefit from Troy Riggs' teaching and research.”

Riggs is expected to remain in his role with the city through July.

“We appreciate Director Riggs’ service to the City of Indianapolis and we are glad to see that in his next career move, citizens in Indy will continue to benefit from his expertise,” the mayor’s office said in a written statement. “The administration will coordinate with Troy during this transition to determine who will lead the Department of Public Safety moving forward.”

Riggs, a Louisville native, was assistant city manager for safety, health and neighborhoods in Corpus Christi, Texas, prior to joining the city. He previously served as a police officer, detective and police chief.

Riggs succeeded Frank Straub, who spent three years in the job before leaving to become director of law enforcement in Spokane, Washington. Straub was dogged by trouble within the department, including claims of excessive force and the arrests of several officers on criminal charges. He also received criticism over the handling of evidence in the fatal drunk driving case involving former officer David Bisard.