A proposed school safety bill would allow retired police officers in Arizona to serve as nighttime School Resource Officers.
The initiative was presented by Arizona Department of Education Director of School Safety Michael Kurtenbach during a Tempe Family Justice Commission meeting on February 18, 2025.
“The goal is not just to have a security presence, but to make sure these officers understand what resources are available and vice versa,” Kurtenbach said.
This bill seeks to reintroduce a law enforcement presence on Arizona campuses while also ensuring officers are properly trained to support students.
This legislation could have a widespread impact on schools across Arizona, particularly in rural areas where law enforcement presence is often limited. If implemented statewide, the policy could provide additional security for districts that struggle with staffing school resource officers.
If this bill is passed by state lawmakers, the policy would have significant implications for students, educators, and law enforcement. Kurtenbach and others argue that retired officers bring valuable experience to Arizona schools.
Local officials and community members have expressed mixed reactions to the bill. Some view it as a necessary step toward safer schools, particularly as School Resource Officers (SROs) already play a role in campus security by responding to incidents, mentoring students, and coordinating with school staff.
However, others remain concerned about officer training, questioning whether retired officers will receive adequate preparation to handle student interactions and mental health crises. Commission members, such as Patricia R. Riggs, had concerns over what specific training requirements will be enforced and how communities will respond to an increased law enforcement presence on school grounds.
Patricia R. Riggs, who previously served as a School Resource Officer, said she was especially concerned about how officers are prepared for working in school settings. She reflected on her own experience in the role as a School Resource Officer, saying she struggled with a colleague’s choice of words when speaking to students and faculty
“I hope that SSO officers get better training working in the schools,” Riggs said. Riggs was reflecting on her own experience where she felt law enforcement professionals lacked the necessary skills to interact effectively with students.
Nonprofit Sector Member of the Committee, Stephen Baines agreed with Riggs, but ultimately believes the benefits of having an officer on campus is worth improving their training.
Baines and other supporters of the bill said that having a visible law enforcement presence on campus can lessen crime and improve response times in emergencies in the schools. Commission members who agree with this new bill said that with the right training, SROs can serve not only as security personnel but also as mentors who build trust with students.
“It is a huge benefit so we can have a relationship with officers and connect with them—not only to create a safe campus but in the long term can create more impactful safe communities,” Baines said.
Other committee members also emphasized the need for thorough officer training before implementing the policy. During the meeting, Kurtenbach agreed that security should be balanced with student well-being, suggesting that future training programs should involve input from both educators and law enforcement experts.
“These officers are to be trained to enforce but also complement an existing structure,” Kurtenbach said.
The commission plans to revisit the topic in upcoming meetings, with a focus on ensuring new school safety measures are accompanied by comprehensive officer training programs. For now, the bill awaits further legislative review and potential approval.
Edited by Shi Bradley
