Working in conjunction with the Franklin County School system and our municipal police agencies your sheriff's office is dedicated to providing the safest learning environment possible for the children of Franklin County. Your School Resource Officers work to support school Principals in making our schools safe and violence free.

 

The School Resource Officer (SRO) program is a nationally accepted program involving the placement of a law enforcement officer within the schools. The officer, while in school, is involved in a variety of functions.

 

Besides being an active high-profile law enforcement officer, the SRO is a resource for students, parents, teachers and administrators regarding law issues. In addition, SRO's also staff after-school events. Another duty for the SRO is being a link to other service agencies that provide preventive and counseling services within the school district. Working with the Principal in each school, the SRO assists with finding solutions to problems affecting school age children.

The situations that exist in our communities also exist within the school environment, and SRO's are often the school's first line of defense against violence, drugs, and alcohol related incidents.

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There is also a juvenile officer within the SRO Unit and his duties are to promote public safety and to prevent delinquent acts by juveniles. This officer focuses on the resolution and termination of the negative behavior of the juvenile through programs like teen court and/or community service. These programs provide juveniles an opportunity to be held accountable for their actions without negatively affecting their futures. Along with providing juveniles a bright future with these programs we also offer the Explorers program which allows the youth ages 14-20 to learn about law enforcement. In addition, we provide the D.A.R.E. program to our 5th grade classes in elementary schools throughout the county.  The D.A.R, E. program “Keeping’ it REAL” curriculum is designed based on the Socio-Emotional Learning Theory (SEL). SEL identifies fundamental, basic skills and developmental processes needed for healthy development.

The Community Action Team (CAT) was established in April of 2016.

The CAT is a four-person team, with the positions held by Cpl's Tharrington, Gunter (K-9 Officer), Strickland, and Corporal D. Barrett (K-9 Officer). They recently added two members to the team, K-9 Oli and K-9 Ace.

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Their main responsibility is the safety and well-being of Franklin County citizens and visitors; therefore, the team assists the other Units of the Sheriff’s Office by taking enforcement action in an effort to make the county a safer place to live. The Community Action Team is community oriented, dedicated to enforcing traffic laws, conducting drug enforcement, answering calls for service, serving warrants, and hosting and attending special county events. 

 

It is our belief the core of violent crimes starts with illegal narcotics. Illegal narcotics have become an epidemic in our state as well as the nation. The CAT is committed through patrolling and enforcement action reducing /eliminating the sale and use of drugs in the county.

The Community Action Team has attended training classes throughout the state in an effort to enhance their knowledge and skills so that the county is better served. The new K-9 additions will assist the team in the detection of illegal drugs. 

 

The Community Action Team is very community oriented, and hosts Citizen Academies throughout the calendar year. This four-week class helps the citizen understand what law enforcement does for them, and discusses crime and drug trends that are in our communities. We also discuss ways to enhance the safety of our communities.

 

The Community Action Team also goes to numerous community events at churches, parks, and events in the county to support community relations. So if you see them working in your area, do not hesitate to talk with them about any issues you may have.