10/23/2026
We are proud to announce that the Loudon Police Department was recognized yesterday by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) as the top submitting agency in Loudon County for the Handle With Care program. Additionally, Corporal Ben Everett was individually recognized as our department’s top submitter.
The award was presented by Evaneline Watanabe, TBI Statewide Handle With Care Coordinator.
The Handle With Care program is an important initiative designed to help children who have experienced traumatic events. When law enforcement encounters a child during a potentially traumatic situation, a confidential notification is sent to the child's school, allowing teachers, counselors, and other school personnel to provide additional support, understanding, and assistance when needed.
The notification does not disclose details of the incident. It simply alerts school personnel that the child may need a little extra care and understanding.
At the Loudon Police Department, we place a tremendous amount of value on our children, our schools, and the educators who work tirelessly to support them. We recognize that children are sometimes exposed to situations beyond their control, and those experiences can have a lasting impact on their emotional well-being, behavior, and ability to learn.
Deputy Chief of Police, Samuel Harrison, shared his personal thoughts on the importance of the program:
“Anyone who knows me knows that the care and well-being of our children have always been at the very top of my priorities. Unfortunately, there are children in our community who are exposed to things that no child should ever have to experience. If we can do something as simple as notifying a school so that a teacher or counselor can provide a little extra care and understanding, then we're making a difference. That's what makes this program so important to me. I'm very proud of our officers, especially Corporal Everett, for taking this seriously. I'm also extremely thankful for our educators and the work they do every day to take care of our kids.”
As law enforcement officers, our responsibility to our community goes well beyond enforcing laws and making arrests. Sometimes, something as simple as notifying a school that a child has experienced a difficult situation can make a tremendous difference in that child's life.
We are proud to partner with our local schools and the TBI in this very important program, and we remain committed to doing our part to ensure that children in our community receive the care and support they deserve.
Congratulations to Corporal Ben Everett on his individual recognition, and thank you to all of our officers who continue to make this program a priority.
We also want to extend our appreciation to Evaneline Watanabe and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, along with our local educators and school administrators, for their continued partnership and dedication to the well-being of our children.
