Gilbert highlights youth-engagement work; police propose expanding a youth engagement unit

Gilbert Town Council on April 20 heard a six-month report from the Gilbert Police Department’s youth community engagement officer that outlined research, programs and short-term outcomes aimed at reducing teen violence and building trust between youth and police.

The report, delivered by Officer Emily King and Chief Mike Solberg, summarized national and state research, local program activity and early enforcement results and proposed the eventual creation of a Gilbert PD youth engagement unit to expand outreach and mentoring.

Officer King framed the role as relationship-building rather than strictly enforcement. “I am so proud and excited to be the new youth community engagement officer,” she told the council, and described a research-driven approach that examined comparable agencies, community programs and academic studies to identify best practices for middle-school–age engagement.

The presentation cited statewide findings from the Arizona Youth Survey (administered to eighth-, tenth- and twelfth-graders) on cyberbullying and…