The Peoria Unified governing board approved Matthew Richards as the district’s new safety and security director May 29.

He officially starts with the district July 1.

Richards brings many years of expertise in safety and security to his new role.

Formerly serving as a security manager for the city of Scottsdale, Richards oversaw security operations for four years, managing a team of security personnel and spearheading the development and implementation of new security policies and procedures. As an active member of the leadership team, he played a vital role in shaping safety protocols for buildings, employees and the public.

Prior to his work in Scottsdale, Richards spent 25 years with the U.S. Treasury Department, where he held the position of special agent and assistant special agent in charge. During his tenure, he spent five years with the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, gaining valuable experience in counter-terrorism tactics and investigations.