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Use of Force Data
The Franklin Police Department believes in transparency and open information. To this extent, the website will also provide information on documented use of force incidents within the agency. The Franklin Police Department has a Use of Force Policy. Also included in that policy are requirements on specific incidents that require an officer to file a report when force was used. This policy conforms with State and Federal guidelines and is reviewed annually during weapons training. It is also reviewed or revised when there is a significant Court decision that has a direct bearing on the policy.
View Franklin Police Use of Force Policy
We will also be publishing information on our own Use of Force data. We pride ourselves on having a group of talented and professional officers. No police department can realistically expect to operate without having to ever use any amount of force. To this extent, based on the number of daily police interactions, calls for service, and custodies that we process every year, we believe these numbers reflect the strong training to include verbal de-escalation, mental health awareness, and strong community partnerships that help us to work through many incidents and make the use of force unnecessary.
On Wednesday, June 3, 2020, Chief Thomas Lynch spoke before the Franklin Town Council. He discussed the Police Department's mission, vision, and values. Chief Lynch also addressed questions about the topic of Use of Force, and how it is applied in our community. He also discussed the President's Task Force on 21st Century Policing report, released in 2014, and how as a Department we are adopting those recommendations.
In 2015 the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association published a response to the President's Task Force on 21st Century Policing report. The response described how Massachusetts, including Franklin, had or was in the process of already adopting many of the recommendations of the President's report.
The Franklin Police Department recognizes the sanctity of life and the importance of preserving human life during all encounters.