INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Senate has overwhelmingly passed a measure that would significantly expand the authority of the Indiana National Guard, paving the way for a specialized military police force with statewide jurisdiction.
House Bill 1343, which received broad bipartisan support, authorizes the Adjutant General—the leader of the Indiana National Guard—to establish a dedicated military police unit. Unlike standard National Guard units that typically provide support to local agencies, this force would be equipped with full law enforcement powers.
Under the provisions of the bill, members of this new unit would be authorized to conduct:
- Arrests: The power to take individuals into custody for violations of state law.
- Searches and Seizures: The authority to execute warrants and seize evidence or property.
- Standard Law Enforcement Duties: Full peace officer powers similar to those held by the Indiana State Police or local sheriff’s departments.
The legislation grants Governor Mike Braun the executive authority to activate these policing powers throughout Indiana. While the force could operate anywhere in the state, the bill requires the Governor to provide “reasonable” notice to local law enforcement agencies before the unit is deployed in their jurisdictions.
Proponents of the bill argue that a dedicated Guard police force provides the state with a robust, “ready-to-go” resource for large-scale emergencies, civil unrest, or natural disasters where local and state police resources may be stretched thin.
Indiana’s move follows a growing trend across the United States where governors are seeking more direct control over specialized tactical units.
While the National Guard is a joint state-federal reserve force that can be “federalized” by the President, many states are also revitalizing State Defense Forces (SDFs). These are purely state-level entities that cannot be called into federal service, ensuring the Governor always has a “home guard” available.
Indiana joins states like Florida, which recently re-established the Florida State Guard, and Texas, which utilizes the Texas State Guard for border security and disaster response.
Next Steps
The bill now heads back to the House for final concurrence on Senate amendments before landing on Governor Braun’s desk. If signed into law, the Indiana National Guard will begin the process of vetting and training the specific members chosen for this high-stakes unit.
Critics of the legislation have raised concerns regarding the training requirements for Guard members exercising civilian police powers and the potential for jurisdictional overlap with local sheriffs, who are elected constitutional officers in Indiana.
