Franklin Police Department celebrates completion of campus improvements

FRANKLIN, Ky. – The Franklin Police Department celebrated the completion of several new additions to its campus Thursday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by city leaders and members of the Franklin-Simpson Chamber of Commerce.

The project includes a new pavilion, a playground, and the restoration of the African American Heritage Center schoolhouse, creating a space designed to serve both the police department and the community.

Police Chief John Thompson said the improvements reflect the department’s ongoing commitment to strengthening relationships with residents, especially young people.

“The whole purpose of this is to engage with our community even more than we already do in a more approachable way,” Thompson said. “It’s so important to build relationships with our youth because they are the future of this country, not only Franklin.”

Thompson said he hopes the new campus will help residents see the police department as a community partner.

“I hope people take away that we are part of this community, and they are part of our department,” he said. “We’re a team, and when we work together, there’s nothing we can’t do.”

In addition to creating new gathering spaces, city leaders say restoring the historic African American Heritage Center schoolhouse helps preserve an important part of Franklin’s history while providing a place for future community events and engagement.

The Franklin Police Department campus is located at 501 W. Madison St. in Franklin.