The Franklin Police Department has launched a new initiative to combat high rates of teen suicide in the city.
Williamson County sees the second highest amount of suicides of children ages 10-19 years-old in the state. The only area with a higher number of suicides is Shelby County.
"We have the best schools; we have a wonderful economy; we have a vibrant community and yet we were number two in the state for young people committing suicide," Chief Deborah Faulkner said.
During one weekend in January of 2015, Faulkner said there were 10 suicide or suicide attempts in the area.
"It was amazing to see not only what was occurring in Franklin but in Williamson County," Faulkner added.
To help combat the problem, Faulkner sent two officers to a crisis intervention class. The two were certified in not only handling crisis situations but teaching the classes as well. Those two have now begun teaching the classes inside the Franklin Police headquarters.
Wednesday, 16 Franklin officers sat in the first of two 10-hour-long classes. Officers studied ways to handle a crisis call and acted out different scenarios. Officers will also study mental illness, suicide warning signs, the legalities that surround those and other related issues.
"We need to know exactly what is the appropriate protocol, what are the best practices in dealing with that so we quickly get the person to the help they need," Faulkner added.
Eventually, all sworn personnel will go through the training classes. Officials said they will require the training for all new officers as well.
