Much has changed for police in America in the last few decades, and no one knows and understands this better than Deb Faulkner, the Chief of Franklin’s Police Department.
Given the large number of disturbing events that police officers witness and the added responsibilities that they are being tasked to handle, their is a nationwide shortage of police officers. Never has their work been so important, and at the same time, never has been more challenging.
“When I was a rookie cop in Metro Nashville,” said Faulkner, as she spoke to a packed and engaged audience in The Fleming Center for the Catholic Business League’s breakfast meeting on October 11, 2018, “I had just a few things on my belt: gun, cuffs, walkie talkie, etc. Now, cops are carrying all that plus pepper spray, a cell phone, Narcan, and so much more. They have backup first aid kits in their squad cars. Cops are the first people to show up on the scene of all emergencies, and more and more frequently, these emergencies are mental health crises or drug overdoses.”
The opioid crisis in America has been well-documented over the past few years, and Faulkner’s Franklin Police Department has not been immune from its effect. “Our officers carry Narcan, and we use it to save lives,” said Faulkner, who added that one of her cops has used Narcan, which reverses the effects of an opioid overdose when injected into the body, has saved one man’s life on three separate occasions with Narcan injections.
“When you call a doctor’s office after hours, the message is always ‘if this is an emergency, call 911.’ We’re 911,” said Faulkner. “We’re on the other end of that line.”
Often times, the calls that come in are from people in crisis, perhaps on the verge of self-harm, and police officers, who are not psychiatrists, are the first to arrive on the scene, often time providing life-saving words of calm and assurance.
“This is 21st century policing,” says Faulkner. “We do community policing.”
Despite speaking on such intense topics, Faulkner was humorous and engaging throughout her talk. She has the demeanor of an individual who has seen so much in her time on the force, and as a result, has a unique and rare understanding of the human condition.
“Law enforcement is a calling. Behind each badge beats a heart of a person who cares. But we can’t do it alone,” added Faulkner, “we need your support. We do community policing, and that means our mission is impossible without the aid of the very people we keep safe.”
