For more than two decades, the Franklin Township Community School Corporation (FTCSC) Police Department has been quietly shaping one of the safest and most student-centered police forces in the state of Indiana. What began in the mid-1990s as a small partnership with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office has evolved into a fully independent, highly trained Police Department dedicated exclusively to the safety and well-being of FTCSC students, staff, and families. Their positive impact is not only felt every day within our FTCSC Flashes Community but also throughout the entire Franklin Township community.
That impact is clearly recognized by those who work closely with the department and those they serve.
“If one thing is certain from speaking with our stakeholders, it is that our police officers are highly valued. We are so thankful they are part of our FTCSC family,” said FTCSC Superintendent Dr. Chase Huotari.
Today, the FTCSC Police Department serves as a model for school police agencies not only in Indiana but also nationwide. The department is built on rigorous training that far exceeds required standards, innovative safety practices, strong community relationships, and an unwavering commitment to the district’s mission.
The roots of the FTCSC Police Department stretch back nearly 30 years, when officers served FTCSC through a contract with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. That changed in 2007, when state law allowed districts to establish their own school police agencies. In a forward-thinking move focused on student safety, FTCSC became a state leader by creating its own Police Department.
“We created our own Police Department in 2007 and developed all of our own policies and procedures,” said FTCSC Police Chief Ken Short. “It was a much bigger undertaking than most people realize, but it allowed us to build a department that truly fits the needs of our schools.”
The department initially consisted of just four officers. Today, it has grown to seven full-time officers and three School Safety Officers, along with a K9, forming a team of ten professionals and a highly trained service dog.
While safety is the police department’s primary mission, building trust and relationships is its foundation. Officers work daily to connect with students, listen to concerns, and serve as trusted adults within school buildings.
At Franklin Central High School, officers like Marty, Andrew, Randy, and Paula are familiar faces who students turn to for guidance, support, and reassurance.
“Paula, for example, works hard to develop authentic relationships with the students. And because of that positive relationship, the kids will literally tell Paula anything,” Chief Short said. “Those relationships are huge in keeping our community safe. Our officers are making a positive difference in our students’ lives.”
That difference is felt directly by students themselves. “Having FTCSC Police officers around the school helps me feel safe and protected every day,” said Franklin Central student Parm Saini. “They are always the sweetest folks and are approachable and stay connected with the students. They help provide a safe and positive environment for everyone around. I am very thankful for all they do and provide here for the family at Franklin Central.”
The department understands that many interactions with law enforcement occur during stressful moments. Because of this, FTCSC officers prioritize positive daily interactions that shape students’ perceptions and build trust—not just during their time in school, but for the rest of their lives.
FTCSC Police Department training is primarily led by Officer Nathan Anderson, who ensures officers exceed the requirements for both law enforcement and school resource officer standards.
“We go above and beyond in our police training. We provide purposeful learning,” Anderson said. “What makes us unique is that we are fully qualified as both police officers and school resource officers, and we train well above both expectations.”
While Indiana requires a minimum of 24 hours of annual training for law enforcement officers, FTCSC police officers consistently far exceed that standard. Data from Acadis, the state’s official training verification platform, shows that over the past five years, FTCSC officers have increased their annual training from an already robust 56 hours in 2021 to 128 hours in 2025—meaning officers now regularly complete more than five times the state-required minimum, reinforcing the department’s strong commitment to preparedness and student safety.
Officers complete state-mandated training, firearms certification twice yearly, defensive tactics, emergency vehicle operations, and specialized School Resource Officer coursework focused on adolescent development and crisis response.
The department follows a three-tier training model focused on individual, team-based, and district-wide emergency response. FTCSC officers maintain the same certification standards as city, town, or county law enforcement while also completing additional school- and youth-focused training, including juvenile law, threat assessment, mental health crisis response, de-escalation, school safety protocols, and collaboration with school staff. This significant investment in training reflects the department’s belief that well-trained officers are essential to keeping students and staff safe while building positive, trusting relationships within schools.
FTCSC officers are also the only officers in Indiana to complete a Colorado-based advanced training program focused on single-officer active response.
“The intent is to make the mistakes in a controlled training environment so those mistakes aren’t made in the real world when people are depending on us,” Anderson said.
FTCSC is the only school district in Indiana that provides safety training to new staff before they begin working in the district. Officer Tony Rizzi leads this onboarding session, covering safety protocols, emergency response procedures, the use of the panic button, and staff expectations.
A key distinction of FTCSC is that every employee—from the superintendent to bus drivers—is empowered to act immediately when safety concerns arise, rather than waiting for approval. This approach saves precious seconds during emergencies and reinforces a shared responsibility for safety across the district.
FTCSC is also a state leader in school-based K9 programs, now in its fourth generation. The current K9, Ardi, is trained in narcotics and firearms detection and plays an active role inside school buildings.
Officer Randy Mullins regularly brings Ardi into classrooms for demonstrations, allowing students to learn how the K9 supports safety efforts. These interactions help students feel comfortable, engaged, and informed.
Ardi’s impact extends beyond FTCSC. The K9 team has assisted IMPD on cases, including a recent incident in which Ardi located a dropped firearm within minutes, demonstrating the department’s broader value to the community.
As FTCSC continues to grow, its police department remains grounded in the same guiding principles: safety, service, professionalism, and relationships.
From advanced training and proactive staff education to K9 demonstrations and daily hallway greetings, the FTCSC Police Department is woven into the fabric of the FTCSC Flashes Community. Their work ensures that students and staff are not only safe—but feel safe—a defining measure of effective school policing.
Our FTCSC Police Department lives the FTCSC Mission of Making A Difference in the lives of our students, staff, and community through purposeful learning and meaningful collaboration. FTCSC is able to impact the lives of its students positively, thanks in no small part to the dedication and care of the FTCSC Police Department.
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