The Superintendent of the Indiana State Police, Douglas G. Carter recently recognized Corporal David Poynter for achieving 35 years of service to the Department and to the citizens of Indiana.
Poynter, who is originally from Indianapolis, Indiana, is a 1984 graduate of George Washington High School, Indianapolis. On October 11, 1987, Poynter was hired in as an Indiana Capitol Police Officer. At that time, the Indiana Capitol Police was a division of the Indiana Department of Administration. On September 25, 1992, Poynter graduated the Indiana Law Enforcement Basic Academy. He was assigned to the Governor’s Residence Security Detail for nearly 10 years, serving Governors Robert Orr, Evan Bayh and Frank O’Bannon. In 1997, Poynter transferred to Downtown Patrol and was appointed to the rank of Corporal.
In 2002 as an act of the Indiana General Assembly, the Capitol Police was transitioned to become a division of the Indiana State Police, now known as the Capitol Police Section.
In 2004, Poynter was selected to serve as an EOR (Explosive Ordinance Recognition) Officer and the first Bomb Dog Handler for the Indiana State Police. Since then, he helped develop and expand the Explosive Detection Canine program now, six teams strong. Poynter is now assigned to Special Operations, Bomb Squad where he continues respond statewide, assisting with bomb threats and special events. Poynter has served the Indiana State Police in the following disciplines: Governor’s Residence Security Officer, Capitol Police Patrol Officer, Field Training Officer, Explosive Ordinance Recognition Officer, Bomb Squad and Explosive Detection Canine Handler.
Poynter and his wife have two grown children and are residents of Marion County.