CLOSE Members of Indianapolis' black community wonder whether ongoing investigations into the fatal police involved shooting of Aaron Bailey, an unarmed black man, will be different from past cases. Dwight Adams/IndyStar

Buy Photo IMPD Chief Bryan Roach briefs journalists about an officer-involved shooting of an unarmed man on June 29, 2017. (Photo: Robert Scheer/IndyStar)Buy Photo

More than two weeks after two Indianapolis police officers shot and killed an unarmed black man, we still have far more questions than answers about what happened and why early in the morning of June 29 on the city's northwest side.

What, if anything, was said to Aaron Bailey before the officers shot him? What prompted police to open fire? How many shots were fired? Why did the officers pull over Bailey's vehicle that morning? What was said during an earlier traffic stop? (Police say Bailey fled that scene, leading to a short chase that ended when his vehicle crashed.) Why did both officers approach Bailey's vehicle at the scene of the shooting?

In the past two weeks, police and prosecutors have provided the community with little information about the shooting. The Marion County Prosecutor's Office has refused to comment on its investigation. And IMPD Chief Bryan Roach said Thursday that he has "questions like everyone else" about Bailey's death. The chief said that he still doesn't know why the officers decided to fire into the vehicle.

The lack of communication is a serious problem as tensions increase in the community. Although Mayor Joe Hogsett promised Friday that the investigation into Bailey's death will happen with "as much openness and as much transparency as due process will allow," so far there's been little openness or transparency with this case.

It's understandable that not all questions can be answered at this point — the investigation, after all, is ongoing. It's critical that a credible, impartial investigation proceed, followed by a fair administration of justice.

But it's also important to regularly provide accurate and up-to-date information to the public to help reduce anger and uncertainty in the city.

On Friday, the mayor announced a set of policy changes that include implicit bias training for police officers and creation of a use-of-force review board. Those steps are important and welcome.

But in Aaron Bailey's case, the changes will occur after the fact and don't fully address the questions now being raised in the community.

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"People are wondering, is it safe for me if I'm stopped in a neighborhood?" Juard Barnes, an organizer with the Indianapolis Congregation Action Network, told IndyStar reporters. "Some people are wondering, are police my allies? Are they the peacekeepers?"

Chief Roach on Friday said he's heard similar concerns. "I've heard a lot of anger in the last couple weeks," he said. "I've heard a lot of fear. Our responsibility is to diminish that anger and fear."

Police officers have a very difficult and essential job to do. They regularly face life-threatening danger in the line of duty. And no one should downplay the fact that the vast majority of officers are dedicated to helping protect and improve the lives of people in this city.

But officers' jobs also become more difficult and more dangerous as fear and distrust rise in the community.

Reducing that fear and distrust — for the benefit of everyone who calls Indy their home — will require better communication and more transparency.

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