Palm Springs Unified School District Security Department: Who We Are

The Palm Springs Unified School District Security Department is committed to keeping nearly 19,000 scholars and 3,000 staff members safe across more than 30 school sites within our 214 square mile district. We take pride in creating a secure environment where students and staff can focus on learning and growing.

Our team includes Campus Safety Officers, District Patrol Officers, and administrative staff who work together every day to support school sites, respond to incidents, and build positive relationships with the school community. Our goal is to be a trusted resource that staff and students can count on.

Keeping Campuses Safe and Prepared

To stay ahead of potential safety issues, we have partnered with Safer Schools Together. This partnership gives us tools to monitor and investigate online threats, helping us quickly determine what is real and what is not. It also helps us work closely with law enforcement to respond the right way when something comes up.

Training and Law Enforcement Support

We have hosted multiple training sessions through the National Association of School Resource Officers; a leading organization focused on campus law enforcement training. These sessions help ensure our team and our partners are prepared and informed.

We also work directly with the police departments in Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Desert Hot Springs, and the Riverside County Sheriff's Department to assign School Resource Officers to every high school. These officers support staff and students and serve as a link between our schools and local law enforcement.

ALICE Training and Emergency Response

Several of our staff are certified ALICE instructors. ALICE stands for Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, and Evacuate. This training gives students and staff options during an emergency and helps them make quick decisions based on what is happening around them, rather than relying solely on traditional lockdown procedures.

Everyday Coverage and Support

Campus Safety Officers are based at high school and middle school campuses and are there to support the daily safety needs of each site. They also help build relationships with scholars and staff that make a difference. In addition to fixed assignments, we have dedicated Rover Officers who rotate daily through our elementary schools. Each Rover is assigned to a specific city and visits one elementary site per day, ensuring that every elementary campus receives regular in-person security support.

District Patrol Officers provide coverage across the entire district 24 hours a day. They respond to alarms, assist with emergencies, and are always available to help keep our schools secure, even after hours and on weekends.

Experienced Leadership and Professional Standards

The Security Department is led by the Director of Security and Disaster Preparedness, along with District Security Administrative Team. Together, the leadership team brings years of experience and holds the following certifications:

• Certified in Security Supervision and Management, International Foundation for Protection Officers
• Certified Security Assessment Specialist, American Crime Prevention Institute
• Certified ALICE Instructor, Navigate360 ALICE
• Active members of ASIS International, a global community of security professionals

These certifications and professional affiliations represent more than just credentials. They reflect our department’s ongoing commitment to growth, accountability, and excellence in school safety. As active members of ASIS International, we stay connected to current security trends and professional standards across the industry. Through continued training, collaboration, and a student-first mindset, our team is focused on supporting safe and welcoming campuses where all scholars can learn, grow, and succeed.