At a city of Franklin Board of Mayor and Alderman work session on this week, Franklin Police Chief Deborah Faulkner clarified a few policies and procedures in the department, including the use of force, biased-policing and body cameras.
She explained that the department conducts an annual report, tracking any patterns in biased policing.
"These are very important issues we need to address every year," Faulkner said to the aldermen and mayor by video conference.
Faulkner emphasized that the FPD is an internationally accredited law enforcement agency.
"Our citizens deserve it, and they deserve the best we can be."
Use of force policy, no choke holds
Police departments around the nation are facing scrutiny in how they serve the public following the death of George Floyd, a Black man who died while in custody of the Minneapolis Police Department.
Officer Derek Chauvin held his knee to the neck of Floyd for almost 9 minutes and is being charged with murder.
Faulkner explained the FPD's use of force policy to BOMA on Tuesday.
"This is critical to our accreditation and our ongoing training," she said.
"We do not teach choke holds. They are prohibited by policy. We do require deescalation techniques training, and that's in our policy."
"Officers have to identify themselves and give warning before they use deadly force."
She also explained that all other means will be used before deadly force is used.
Excerpt from Franklin Police Department’s Use of Force Policy:
4. The following techniques are prohibited except in circumstances where deadly force is authorized by this policy and other methods of restraint are ineffective or unavailable: • any chokeholds (Trachea holds), neck restraints, neck strangling holds, Lateral Vascular Neck Restraint maneuver, or other similar neck respiratory restraining or blood flow restricting maneuvers (with or without the use of a device/object)
— Franklin Police Department
"The officer can only use deadly force in defense of human life and that includes the officer's life," Faulkner said.
When necessary, Faulkner said "officers have a duty to intervene" if one is in danger.
Comprehensive reporting is required for any use of force, she said.
Biased profiling annual report
The FPD compiles a biased-based profiling annual report to bring awareness to any patterns of profiling in the department, which is prohibited.
"The use of biased-based policing is strictly prohibited in all contacts with the public," Faulkner said.
Officers are required to provide documentation of any traffic stop, arrest, field interviews and or any interaction with the public.
The most recent FPD Biased-Based Profiling Report in 2019 shows that out of 12,854 police stops, 14.96% of those stopped were black, while 73.72% were white.
According to the U.S. Census, 84.9% of residents in Franklin are white, while 6.2% are black.
Police Stops in Franklin
- Black - 14.96%
- White - 73.72%
- Black Male - 8.81%
- Black Female - 6.15%
- White Male - 41.58%
- White Female - 32.14%
* Information gathered from FPD Biased-Based Profiling Report in 2019
Officers are required to report any biased-policing to their supervisor for review.
Three complaints of biased-policing were submitted in 2019. All were investigated, and it was determined that there was cause to pull the person over.
Body cameras in place for 2 years
FPD officers have worn body cameras for over two years.
Faulkner was a strong voice in the legislature during that time, presenting both sides to law makers of requiring police officers to wear body cameras. She was particularly concerned about balancing privacy to the public with police transparency.
"They are require to have them turned on for each response to a call. Police cars have also had dash cameras for over 20 years," she said.
"We are no strangers to having cameras around.
"This is just a snapshot of the important steps we take to uphold our law enforcement code of ethics and oath of office."
"We select our officers carefully and screen them thoroughly and train them constantly and constantly review model policies (such as accreditation and all 21st century best practices)."
"I am proud to be their chief ... Each is committed to our community and will to continue work hard to earn your trust."
'Early warning system' to flag employees
Faulkner also explained that the police department uses an "early warning system" to identify trends or patterns that need to be reviewed by supervisors that could indicate a problem with employee performance.
Early warning signs of an issue could include a decline in job performance, absences, tardiness, inappropriate behavior, vehicle crashes, increased citizen complaints and any use of force, she explained.
If an employee is identified as having problematic performance, police training, retraining or counseling is advised, or if necessary, disciplinary action, Faulkner said.
Faulkner's words at vigil - 'no tolerance for racism, hatred'
Faulkner also spoke at a vigil on Natchez Street in Franklin last week, during a gathering to honor George Floyd, delivering a speech about love and peace.
"It occurred to me that it's extremely fitting that it's a candle light vigil," Faulkner told the crowd of hundreds at a church in downtown Franklin.
"Candles are mentioned throughout the Bible. They are a symbol of love, peace, truth, purity and hope.
"Candlelight destroys negative energy. It provides healing, happiness and forgiveness. It helps reflect the truth. Candlelight doesn't just dispel darkness, but it sheds light on the world."
She quoted, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: "”Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
Faulkner said her faith has comforted her during a time of sadness and tragedy.
She said she has no tolerance for "hatred, racism, injustice, brutality."
"That's what I have followed my entire law enforcement career, and I always will."
Kerri Bartlett covers issues affecting children, families, education and government in Williamson County. She can be contacted at kbartlett@gannett.com, 615-308-8324 or @keb1414 on Twitter.
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Franklin police answers to public about policy on use of force, biased-policing, body cameras - Tennessean
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