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 safety and elevated the town’s own programming as a local strength. King listed recurring town activities — Cops and Goblins trunk-or-treat, Coffee with a Cop, the cadet program, Aspire Academy and a back-to-school student welcome — and outlined a new school-first visibility effort in which officers visited nearly every elementary school on first days to hand out stickers and helmets.

Chief Mike Solberg said the department’s goal is a safe community “for our residents, but all of our visitors,” and described the youth engagement post as a step to build trust and prevent escalation of juvenile incidents. He told council the position grew from research and community engagement task‑force recommendations and emphasized that one officer would not be sufficient to meet all needs.

Officers presented preliminary enforcement data from a fall operation focused on locations frequented by youth. The transcript shows the initiative produced 70 reports, 45 juvenile diversions, 81 civil citations and 89 arrests during the operation window. Officer King also reported personal activity and research inputs since starting the role: approximately 64 hours of research, 83 hours of service as lead cadet advisor, 18 hours of collaboration with school resource officers and attendance at about 38 community events.

Council members voiced support and requested more Gilbert‑specific data and concrete program proposals. Councilmember Monte Lyons asked staff to “bring forward some examples of programs you’d like to move forward with” in the coming months. Mayor Scott Anderson and other members asked for a local breakdown of the Arizona Youth Survey results; Officer King and staff agreed to provide Gilbert-specific data and school-district results.

Several council members urged expanded partnerships with schools, nonprofits and local businesses and suggested pursuing grant funding and volunteer mentor programs. Councilmember Kenny Buckland recommended continuing visible, school‑based outreach — supplying helmets at events and strengthening online safety and bullying-prevention education. Chief Solberg and Officer King said they plan to weave community engagement task‑force recommendations into program development and to return with proposed initiatives and budget implications.

The presentation did not include new, council-approved funding for an expanded unit; the town manager and police chief said the FY26 budget preview did not yet contain specific resources to add staff beyond the single youth engagement officer. Staff said possible expansions could be considered for FY27 and that any earlier, smaller steps would return to council for approval.

What's next: staff will provide Gilbert‑level survey results and return with concrete program proposals and options, including estimated staffing and funding needs. Council members signaled general support for the research-driven approach and for developing volunteer and mentor partnerships to amplify the officer’s reach.

The item was presented for information and discussion; no formal council action was taken on staffing or funding during the April 20 meeting.