Queen Creek Police Give Safety Presentations in Queen Creek Unified School District Schools

Creating a safe and healthy environment is one of our top strategic priorities at Queen Creek Unified School District (QCUSD).

The Queen Creek Police Department (QCPD) has partnered with QCUSD to provide presentations to promote safety and security within the schools.

Coordinator of school safety and security, Joe Johnston, shares how the partnership between QCPD and QCUSD will make a positive impact on students and families.

“We want parents to know that QCUSD and QCPD work together if need be,” said Johnston. “We have direct line of contact for any issues we need to discuss.”

The safety presentations are presented in two forms: one for parents and one for students. Each presentation also differentiates based on the needs and preferences of each school with bullying as the main focus.

“I like how the officers give age appropriate talks,” said Arianne Scott, a parent from Jack Barnes Elementary. “The last thing I want to worry about is my kindergartner being more anxious in school, and you can tell the officers really care and they want to be there and they want to be interacting with kids in a positive way.”

James Gowdy, director of athletics and support services, says the presentations not only provide good information but strengthen connections in our community.

“The purpose of the presentations is to highlight the positive relationship between our schools and QCPD,” said Gowdy. “The presentations also provide details on how schools and police handle safety-related investigations and educate students on our shared responsibility in keeping our schools safe, healthy, and conducive to learning.”

Along with giving safety presentations for parents and students, QCPD helps facilitate yearly training with school administrators on various safety scenarios. District-level personnel meet monthly with Queen Creek Police and Fire Departments, as well as with the town of Queen Creek's emergency management coordinator. Local emergency responders also provide feedback on school emergency procedures and debrief on responses to specific school incidents.

To learn more about how QCUSD provides a safe and healthy environment for students and staff, please visit the Safe and Healthy Environment page.

The next parent presentation will be held at Queen Creek High School on September 19 at 6:00 p.m. It is open to the public.