An IMPD sergeant who was formerly lauded as a hero and awarded the Medal of Valor has been arrested after a tip concerning child sexual abuse material being shared online was reportedly traced back to the officer.
IMPD Sergeant Javed Richards faces 12 counts of child exploitation, all of which are Level 4 felonies.
According to IMPD, detectives assigned to the Internet Crime Against Children Unit conducted the investigation, which began with a cyber tip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The tip mentioned the uploading and/or downloading of sexual child abuse material online.
When detectives discovered that the suspect may be an IMPD officer, they alerted the IMPD’s Special Investigation Unit, which entered the investigation.
They hauled Richards into custody on Monday.
Richards is a 12-year IMPD veteran who mostly worked in the Internal Affairs Unit, where he investigated officers suspected of criminal conduct. Richards is now the subject of an internal affairs inquiry.
Over his career, Richards has received numerous accolades for his bravery. The Indiana State Police awarded Richards in 2016 for his quick thinking and rescue of a crash victim. Richards got the Medal of Valor and the Purple Heart in 2015 for injuries sustained during a deadly gun battle with a guy on the city’s east side.
“I am profoundly startled and troubled by the claims against an IMPD officer. “His alleged actions are a betrayal of the sacred oath we take to protect and serve our community,” declared IMPD Chief Chris Bailey.
“These actions do not reflect the character of the brave men and women who serve Indianapolis with integrity and dedication every day,” Bailey said.
Following Richards’ arrest, Bailey suspended him from his position with the department. The IMPD Civilian Police Merit Board has also received a termination recommendation.
