Kid Zone
The Sheriff’s Office dedicates many hours to serving the youth of Santa Cruz County through a variety of educational and service organizations.

School Resource Officer. The department provides a School Resource Officer to Rio Rico High School and Desert Shadows Middle School. This individual provides security while also mentoring students and disseminating information on a wide variety of relevant topics to the entire school community.

Drug Awareness & Resistance Program. Two deputies are assigned to area schools through the DARE (Drug Awareness and Resistance Education) program. They provide weekly lessons at the elementary-grade level and help students develop a positive relationship with law-enforcement officials.

Gang Resistance Education & Training. The GREAT program (Gang Resistance Education and Training) is aimed at middle school students and educates this key age group about the dangers of gangs.

Explorer Post. The department also sponsors an Explorer Post for those ages 14 through 20 who have an interest in law enforcement.