Sahuarita leaders present new SRO policy after district raises concerns about arrests of minors

At a joint Town of Sahuarita–Sahuarita Unified School District meeting, police and district officials outlined a new Sahuarita Police Department schools policy intended to standardize how school resource officers (SROs) respond to incidents, investigations and arrests involving students (meeting date not specified in transcript). Chief John Nolan said he finalized and issued the policy on July 10 so officers could review it before the school year began on Aug. 5.

The policy, officials said, is built around three priorities: programs and education, physical environment and tactical cooperation. "One of our primary goals is to clearly conduct fair, balanced, objective and thorough investigations," Chief Nolan told the joint meeting, adding the department aims to ensure consistency and reduce disparate treatment across similar incidents. Dr. Valenzuela of the district noted the approach fits the district’s Safe and Supportive Schools direction and pointed to other investments — including cameras…