The Queen Creek Police Department is getting help from the state to recruit and retain more officers as it continues to grow in tandem with the town’s population.
The Arizona Department of Public Service is providing the town of Queen Creek with $175,000 to use for Performance Protocol, a company that specializes in performance coaching and technology-driven retention methods for law enforcement use.
“During the past four years, the department has hired more than 160 staff members. The cost of training, equipping and supervising these employees is significant. There is also a substantial time investment in these activities,” according to a council staff report.
Under an agreement approved by the town council, DPS will transfer the $175,000 to Queen Creek for use on Performance Protocol, an approved state vendor.
The Queen Creek Town Council unanimously approved the agreement during its Feb. 5 meeting. The agreement was part of the council consent agenda in which items are all approved with one motion and vote.
QCPD has an “existing relationship” with Performance Protocol “and its approval under the state contract ensure a seamless continuation of services,” the staff report stated.
Performance Protocol offers:
• Software designed to support law enforcement agencies in recruitment, development and retention efforts.
• A coaching platform that connects officers with vetted coaches, including those trained by former instructors of the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy.
• Online coaching services that are accessible through a secure digital platform.
• Data analytics and performance assessments to measure the impact of recruitment and retention strategies.
• A comprehensive recruitment audit and training program.
• Technology solutions to support recruitment and retention activities within the department.
“By leveraging state funding, the town can implement evidence-based retention strategies without impacting the general fund,” the staff report continued.
QCPD began operations in January 2022, replacing the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office as the town’s law enforcement agency.
The department started with 64 officers and nine staff. Police Chief Randy Brice has said the total personnel for the department will go past 230 in the next few years.
QCPD’s 10-year infrastructure plan calls for the construction of a new headquarters and a secure, public-access parking structure on about 22 acres in the downtown municipal complex.
Council has approved a more than $4.7 million design contract with Arrington Watkins Architects for the two facilities.
Plans call for a roughly 55,000-square-foot headquarters, a three-level parking structure to support the entire municipal complex and a future building.
The headquarters will include additional QCPD administration offices, a public safety answering point/911-call area and a communications/dispatch. The proposed parking structure will require about 300 secured parking spaces for police plus additional public parking for staff and visitors.
QCPD currently operates primarily out of the Community Chambers/Law Enforcement Facility, 20727 E. Civic Parkway, and the upper floor of Communiversity, 21740 S. Ellsworth Road.
In August, the council approved leasing more than 9,600 square feet at a local industrial park to provide additional space for the department.
The new structures are part of a five-year plan by the town to build an estimated $215 million worth of infrastructure, with $150 million of that financed through bonds. The issuance of those bonds has been broken into two portions — $75 million which were sold in December and a second $75 million issuance set for 2026.
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Janet Perez News Editor | Queen Creek &
San Tan Valley
Meet Janet Janet Perez joined Independent Newsmedia as editor of the Queen Creek Independent and Florence Independent in 2020. She started her career in 1989 with the Gannett-owned El Paso Times. In 1992, she moved to Tempe and has worked in newspapers, magazines, radio and television. She left Arizona for three years to work at New Mexico State University and Baylor University before returning to work at Arizona State University. Missing the business, she went back to journalism in 2017.
Community: A long-time pet owner, she supports animal welfare causes.
Education: University of Texas at El Paso with a BA in journalism and a minor in political science.
Random Fact: She had a head full of random facts.
Hobbies: Reading, watching documentaries, cooking and playing with her dogs.
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