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INDIANAPOLIS – A Marion Superior Court judge has overturned a Center Township police officer’s failure to appear guilty verdict, allowing the elected official to be released from custody.
On Monday, Denise Hatch filed a motion with the court to reconsider her bail, arguing that she is no longer a flight risk and is willing to submit to house arrest and GPS monitoring while her malpractice case is pending.
Hatch has been in the Marion County Jail since her arrest in May. Indianapolis police say they saw her driving around town wearing a police badge and carrying a Glock pistol, in violation of court orders from her two criminal cases that were pending at the time. After that, a judge revoked her bail.
Judge Mark Renner granted Hatch’s motion to reconsider her bail on Monday, despite the state’s objection. Hatch will be placed under house arrest and monitored by GPS. Her home will also be searched for firearms.
Marion County prosecutors, in their attempt to block Hatch’s motion, reiterated the court’s previous finding that “the fact that she has failed to comply with the court’s order is a clear indication” that she poses a danger and is putting her community at risk. The state also called Monday’s bail review hearing redundant, pointing to Hatch’s last attempt in July to lower her bail and saying nothing has changed.
Hatch countered the state’s argument by saying she has since been offered a guilty plea. Under the conditions, she said, she was offered probation, which she said shows the state is not concerned about the safety of the community, as it claims in its motion to keep her bail.
Hatch also stated that she is not receiving all of her medications in prison and that her health is suffering as a result.
Her next court date in three separate cases is scheduled for October 2. She is charged with multiple counts of abuse of office, illegal carrying of a handgun, aiding and abetting a crime and theft.
Hatch was the focus of a major police investigation in February that examined “incidents related to the Center Township Police Officer’s Office.” A police officer is an elected official who serves summonses, warrants and subpoenas to enforce small claims court orders.
Hatch’s first criminal trial began in August 2023 after she left a Kroger with fruits and vegetables without paying, according to police. Store security told officers she tried to exchange a bag of rotten broccoli for a new bag, and when employees refused to take it, Hatch retorted that she was a police officer and was “taking her damn broccoli.”
In a second case several months later, Indianapolis police alleged that Hatch tried to stop officers from investigating one of their co-workers after they accused him of carrying a handgun in his vehicle, despite his previous conviction of domestic violence, which would have prohibited him from carrying a weapon.
According to jail records, Hatch remained in custody as of early Monday afternoon.
Contact IndyStar reporter Sarah Nelson at [email protected]
