If you’ve lived in Northwest Indiana for any length of time, you know Hammond is a city that doesn't sit still. It's gritty, it’s evolving, and its heartbeat is often felt through the blue uniforms patrolling the streets from Robertsdale down to Hessville. Right now, the Hammond Police Department Indiana is going through one of its biggest shakeups in decades. We’re talking about a massive changing of the guard that just took effect on January 1, 2026.
Change is hard. Especially when it involves the people tasked with keeping the peace in a city of over 76,000 residents.
The New Face of Leadership in 2026
For the last few years, Chief William “Andy” Short was the face of the force. He made history back in 2021 as the city’s first African American police chief. He was a staple at neighborhood meetings and high school basketball games. But as of the start of 2026, things look a bit different at the station on Douglas Street.
Jeffery Long is now the man in charge.
Chief Long isn't some outsider brought in to "fix" things; he’s been with the department since December 1989. That is over 35 years of walking the beat, running the Uniform Division, and serving as Assistant Chief. He’s a U.S. Army veteran and a lifelong Hammond resident. Honestly, if you’ve had a run-in with the police in Hammond over the last three decades—good or bad—there’s a decent chance Long was involved in the oversight.
Wait, what happened to Andy Short? He didn’t just vanish. He is currently serving as Chief Emeritus until April 2026 to make sure the transition doesn't go off the rails. It’s a smart move. It keeps the institutional knowledge in the building while Long sets his own tone for the 2020s.
Why This Shift Actually Matters
Leadership transitions in police departments aren't just about who gets the big office. They dictate how officers interact with you on a Tuesday night traffic stop. Under Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr., the department has been pushed to reflect the city’s actual diversity—which is roughly 25% Black and 30% Hispanic.
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Long's promotion also coincided with Christopher Gootee moving up to Captain of the Criminal Investigations Division (CID). This is the "detective" side of things. Gootee is a Northwestern University School of Police Staff & Command grad. He's tasked with the heavy stuff: solving homicides, tackling gang violence, and dealing with the Special Deployment Unit.
Real Talk: Is Hammond Getting Safer?
You can’t talk about the Hammond Police Department Indiana without looking at the numbers. They aren't always pretty, but they are real.
According to FBI and UCR data from late 2024 and 2025, total crime in Hammond sat around 2,890 incidents annually. Violent crime accounted for about 561 of those cases. To put it simply: property crime like theft and burglary is still the biggest headache for most residents.
But here is a detail most people miss.
Hammond is part of a larger "Lake County" ecosystem. When Gary reports a 36% drop in homicides (which they did in late 2025), it relieves pressure on Hammond’s borders. The department works closely with the FBI’s Gang Response Investigative Team (GRIT) and the DEA HIDTA Task Force. These aren't just fancy acronyms; they are why the department is able to seize hundreds of illegal firearms every year.
The Controversial "BlueNET" Program
Have you heard of BlueNET? If you haven't, you should.
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The department has been aggressively pushing this "Co-Active" policing model. Basically, they want your data. BlueNET allows residents and businesses to register their security cameras with the police.
- Level 1: You tell them you have a camera. If a crime happens nearby, they email you asking for footage.
- Level 2: You buy a "CORE" device. This gives the police live access to your camera feed during emergencies.
Some people think it's a brilliant way to fight crime. Others think it’s a massive privacy nightmare. Regardless of where you stand, it's the direction the Hammond Police Department is moving. They are betting big on tech to supplement a force that, like many in the Midwest, is always looking for more recruits.
Specialized Units You Probably Didn't Know Existed
The department isn't just patrol cars and sirens. It’s actually pretty segmented.
The K-9 Division handles the obvious stuff—tracking suspects and sniffing out drugs—but they are also used as a "deterrent" in high-crime areas. Then there’s the Bicycle Patrol, which you’ll see mostly in the summer around the downtown Hohman Avenue corridor and the lakefront.
One of the more intensive units is the Street Crimes Unit. These are the guys in plainclothes or "tactical" gear. Their job is specifically to disrupt street-level drug dealing and find "dangerous wanted felons." If you see a group of officers who don’t look like standard patrolmen, it’s probably them.
Facing the Critics
It’s not all handshakes and community cookouts. Organizations like the Police Scorecard have historically given Hammond mixed reviews. Critics point to a high rate of "low-level" arrests. About 68% of arrests in Hammond's recent history were for non-violent offenses.
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There have also been questions about the homicide "clearance rate." Solving murders in a city that borders Chicago and Gary is notoriously difficult. While the Lake County Homicide Task Force helps, the pressure is on Captain Gootee in 2026 to bring those "solved" numbers up.
How to Actually Interact with HPD
If you need something from the Hammond Police Department Indiana, don’t just show up at the station expecting a quick chat. It’s a busy place.
- Non-Emergencies: Use the Hammond 311 app. It’s way faster for things like graffiti, abandoned cars, or noise complaints.
- Records and Reports: Most crash reports are now handled online through third-party portals. Save yourself the drive to 509 Douglas Street.
- Gun Permits: Indiana has moved toward permitless carry, but if you still want a formal License to Carry (for reciprocity in other states), the department still processes these applications through their records division.
Actionable Steps for Hammond Residents
If you're looking to stay safe or get involved with the department under the new 2026 leadership, here is what you should actually do:
- Audit your home security: If you're okay with it, register your camera via the BlueNET portal. It doesn't give them live access unless you choose Level 2, but it puts you on the "help" list.
- Attend District Meetings: Chief Long has signaled he wants to continue the "community first" approach. Find out which district you live in and show up.
- Monitor the Scams: The department has seen a spike in "utility" and "police warrant" phone scams recently. HPD will never call you and ask for money or gift cards to clear a warrant.
- Check the "HPD Crime Map": The city uses an online mapping tool to show exactly where crimes are happening in your neighborhood. Check it once a week to see if there’s a pattern of car break-ins on your block.
The Hammond Police Department Indiana is in a state of flux. With new leadership at the top and a heavy reliance on new surveillance technology, the next twelve months will determine if the "Long era" can maintain the downward trend in violent crime seen across the region. Stay observant, use the 311 app, and don't be afraid to ask for the "Chief Emeritus" if you still feel more comfortable talking to the old guard during this hand-off period.
Primary Sources & References:
City of Hammond Official Police Leadership Announcement (Dec 2025)
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Data 2024-2025
Lake County Prosecutor’s Office Violent Crime Report (Jan 2026)
Hammond BlueNET Public Safety Portal