Horne Boosts School Safety Initiative, Deploying Hundreds More Resource Officers

By Matthew Holoway |

The Arizona government is set to enhance school safety by deploying additional School Resource Officers (SROs) through 2026. This initiative involves a partnership with Off Duty Management, which will facilitate the placement of armed, uniformed officers in schools across six counties, aligning with Superintendent Tom Horne’s strategy for improving security.

Since last October, Arizona’s Department of Education has collaborated with Off Duty Management to address the pressing need for increased law enforcement presence in schools, despite a notable shortage of police personnel in the state. This initiative marks a significant step in bolstering school safety programs.

Off Duty Management is staffed by former law enforcement professionals, providing a unique solution by employing current officers during their off-duty hours. Their proprietary OfficerTRAK® software allows officers to schedule opportunities to serve as SROs in participating schools.

“The safety of school campuses is a priority for my administration,” Horne stated. He emphasized that having well-trained officers ready to respond could be crucial in preventing tragedies, citing the arrangement as a pioneering public-private partnership aimed at enhancing safety in educational environments.

Mike Kurtenbach, Director of School Safety at the Arizona Department of Education, underscored the program’s dual benefits. He noted that not only do these officers serve as safety agents, but they also act as positive role models for students, fostering a secure and supportive school culture.

With this innovative strategy, schools in areas experiencing police shortages can still access vital security resources. Kurtenbach revealed that this initiative enables over 700 trained law enforcement officers to be deployed as needed across Arizona’s educational institutions, with participation from 60 districts in Maricopa County and more in other counties.

In light of recent school violence, Horne expressed urgency in reinforcing school security measures. He referenced the critical role SROs played in mitigating a recent tragic event at a Georgia high school, where officers intervened to prevent further loss of life. “It saved a lot of lives,” Horne reflected.

Following the Georgia school shooting, he took to social media to express his condolences while urging opponents of SROs in Arizona to reconsider their stance. “These tragedies are recurrent nightmares demanding we prioritize safety in our schools,” he wrote.

Currently, the state has 228 full-time School Safety Officers (SSOs) and additional part-time safety personnel. Horne is optimistic about expanding this workforce to ensure all schools seeking an SRO will receive one.

Matthew Holloway is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.