Maricopa goes all in to up police presence in schools

As the victims of a Texas school shooting captured the nation’s attention with their testimony in court today, educators closer to home took preventative action. 

New grant money will place school resource officers — sworn law-enforcement officers with arrest powers — inside all four secondary schools in the Maricopa Unified School District.

Earlier this year, the Arizona Department of Education awarded MUSD a $1.3 million grant, which includes the salaries and benefits of these officers until 2026, as well as school counselors at the elementary level. 

The grant “redefines our relationship,” Superintendent Tracey Lopeman said during the July 12 governing board meeting. “I think it elevates the terms of our relationship to a certain degree as well.”   

But the district is not acting alone.  

A new agreement between the Maricopa Police Department, school district and the city government aims to foster a safer learning environment. 

The city will provide four full-time Maricopa police officers to serve as SROs for the district.  

Assistant Superintendent Tracey Pastor, Deputy City Manager Micah Gaudet and Chief of Police Mark Goodman spearheaded the collaboration. 

“We are eternally grateful for the support of the City of Maricopa and really appreciate the partnership that we have,” Lopeman said.  

Last year, the district had three full-time SROs with rotating coverage at Desert Sunrise High School. 

The joint efforts of the police department and new monetary injection allowed for the in-school police presence to tick up 33%. 

The officers will provide weekday support at the district’s middle and high schools. 

“We look forward to starting the school year with an SRO at each of these secondary schools,” Pastor said.  

Previous SRO funding came from a variety of sources, including the city of Maricopa, internal funding, a federal grant and the state’s School Safety Program. 

The new $1.3 million allowance marks a significant increase from the $91,714 allocated last year. 

The newly appointed SROs — Brian Brown at Desert Wind Middle School, Tracy Slider at Maricopa Wells Middle School, Zak Bittner at Desert Sunrise High School and Trina Clement at Maricopa High School — are required to spend at least 80% of their time on campus.  

“I know this won’t be a problem,” Pastor said. “MPD is always so protective of putting a priority of having officers at our school and only pulling them away for true emergencies.”  

As part of the agreement, principals will provide feedback twice a year, ensuring continuous improvement and effective collaboration. 

In the meantime, should students, parents or faculty have questions or concerns, Pastor urges them to contact their principal.  

Board member Torri Anderson lauded the SROs for their efforts to build positive relationships with students and staff, emphasizing their mentor-like approach. 

Goodman, the police chief, agreed. 

“It’s really meaningful to our officers to be able to interact with our young people in the schools,” Goodman added, “and to really build those relationships that will be meaningful as they make their way, not only through school, but also through life.”