Judge lifts no bond warrant for Center Township Constable Denise Hatch

INDIANAPOLIS — A Marion Superior Magistrate judge has lifted the no bond order Center Township Constablewhich enables the elected representative to be released from custody.

Monday, Denise Hatch asked the court to reconsider withholding her bond — arguing that she is no longer a flight risk and willing to go on house arrest and GPS monitoring while her official misconduct is pending.

Hatch has remained in the Marion County Jail since her arrest in Maywhen Indianapolis police claim they saw her driving in the city with a police badge and carrying a Glock pistol, a violation of her court order two active criminal cases at that time. After that, a judge revoked her bail.

Judge Mark Renner granted Hatch’s appeal to review her bond on Monday, over the state’s objection. The hatch must be placed on home detention and GPS monitoring. Her home will also be inspected for firearms.

Marion County prosecutors in their bid to block Hatch’s request reiterated the court’s earlier ruling that “the fact that she did not comply with the court’s order is a clear indication” that she is a risk and endangering her community. The state further called Monday’s bail hearing superfluous, pointing to Hatch’s last attempt in July to lower her bond and that nothing had changed.

Hatch countered the state’s argument by saying she has since been offered a plea. Under the terms, she said, she was offered probation, which she claims shows the state is therefore not concerned about community safety as they claim in their request to withhold her bail.

Hatch also stated that she is not getting all of her medication in prison and that her health is suffering.

She is scheduled to next appear in court on Oct. 2 for her three separate cases, in which she is charged with multiple counts of professional misconduct, unlawfully carrying a weapon, assisting a criminal and theft.

Hatch was at the center of a wide-ranging investigation by police investigating “incidents involving the Center Township Constable’s Office” in February. A constable is an elected official who serves summonses, orders, and subpoenas to enforce small claims court orders.

Hatch’s first criminal case arose in August 2023 after police said she left a Kroger with produce without paying. Store security told officers she tried to exchange a bag of rotting broccoli for a new bag and when employees refused to take it, Hatch replied that she’s a police officer and “takes her damn broccoli.”

In a second case months later, Indianapolis police allege Hatch tried to stop officers from investigating one of her employees after they accused him of having a gun in his vehicle despite a previous domestic battery conviction that prohibits him from legally carrying a gun.

Hatch remained in custody as of early Monday afternoon, according to jail records.

Contact IndyStar reporter Sarah Nelson at [email protected]