Establishing a National Guard Military Police Force (HB 1343)

House Bill 1343, disguised as a routine veteran affairs bill, would expand the Indiana National Guard’s role into civilian law enforcement by establishing a “military police force,” then granting the governor broad authority to activate it with police powers anywhere in the state.

Under this legislation, if the governor activates this force, members could be authorized to make arrests, conduct searches and seizures, carry firearms, and exercise other police powers to enforce Indiana law. This major shift would blur the lines between military forces and civilian policing, contributing to a vast police state.

We oppose this bill because the military should not be used to police communities. HB 1343 raises serious civil liberties risks: overreach, expanded use-of-force, and more search-and-seizure activity without clear limits or the accountability Hoosiers deserve.