Thanks to a special one-time allocation from the Chandler City Council, the Chandler Police Department is expanding its presence in elementary schools with the introduction of the School Education Engagement Program.

Designed specifically for sixth-grade students in the Chandler Unified School District, the initiative aims to provide essential tools and knowledge to youth and to navigate today’s challenges.

“We’re not only safeguarding their innocence, but fostering a generation equipped to make informed choices amidst the challenges of social media, drugs, and the peer pressure they face in the world today,” Assistant Police Chief Dave Ramer said.

Earlier this year, the Chandler City Council approved one-time temporary personnel funding of about $147,000 for the program from its Fiscal 2024 budget.

Two seasoned former law enforcement officers have been hired to spearhead the initiative. They will be moving between elementary schools to deliver a curriculum approved by the Arizona Department of Education.

The four-week curriculum covers topics such as leadership, respect, substance abuse, and cyber-dilemmas.

The goal of the SEE program includes fostering responsible citizenship, promoting problem-solving skills, promoting a positive self-image and character development in students, encouraging them to respect persons of authority, rules, laws and discouraging delinquent behavior.

Participating CUSD elementary schools include Sanborn, Frye, Bologna, Shumway, Navarette, Hull, Ryan and San Tan.

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