Queen Creek police salute first youth academy class

The Queen Creek Police Department Youth Academy has graduated its first class of teens.

At Wednesday’s Queen Creek Town Council meeting, council members joined Police Chief Randy Brice in recognizing the 14 participants for not only completing the program but also taking the initiative to “participate in positive community activities,” according to a town press release.

“Engaging with our youth continues to be a top priority and we are so appreciative of the police department launching this impactful program,” Queen Creek Mayor Julia Wheatley stated in the release. “I continue to be impressed with the initiative and passion of our youth – thank you to each of the participants and their families.”

The QCPD Youth Academy is a free two-week program for Queen Creek teens between the ages of 14 and 18. Students learn about laws and ordinances, search and seizure procedures, drug and alcohol recognition, crime scene investigation, K-9 operations, traffic stops and DUI enforcement, officer use of force and safety, and community policing strategies.

“Programs like these promote community engagement and are designed to foster positive relationships, especially among our teens,” Brice stated in the release. “I would like to thank Officer Katie Williams, Officer John Allen and Officer Adam Webber for developing and facilitating this program.”

For more information about QCPD, including when dates will be announced for the 2025 QCPD Youth Academy visit QueenCreekAZ.gov/QCPD .