Securing Schools, Safeguarding Students

The Department of Climate and Safety is committed to creating safe, supportive school environments where every student and staff member feels secure, valued, and empowered to succeed. Our mission is to safeguard students and secure schools across Denver Public Schools, fostering resilience, academic growth, and emotional well-being.

Our diverse team, including dedicated investigators, armed patrol officers, dispatchers, emergency preparedness experts, and campus safety officers, works around the clock, to protect every member of our DPS community. Whether in elementary, charter, middle, high, or pathways schools, we are constantly vigilant, ensuring a secure environment for everyone.

Who We Are

Our comprehensive safety and support services are designed to protect and enhance the well-being of our students, staff, and school communities. Here is an overview of the key roles and initiatives that underpin our commitment to safety and inclusivity:

• Campus Safety Officers maintain peace within schools, are trained to handle incidents swiftly, prevent disruptions, and foster trust,
• also ensuring safety at extracurricular events.
• Patrol Officers are armed, provide rapid responses, manage safety operations, coordinate patrols, and enhance preparedness across campuses.
• Crossing Guards help students cross streets safely, manage traffic near schools, and educate on traffic safety.
• Emergency Management proactively manages risks, organizes emergency responses, and maintains clear communication and coordination for school safety.
• The Command Dispatch Center serves as the operational hub, handling over 30,000 calls annually and monitoring communications to address emergencies efficiently.
• Support Services create a welcoming school environment and  implement anti-bullying programs, and promote school climate development through training in equity, diversity, and inclusion.

The Department of Climate and Safety is transforming how school communities think about safety—shifting from reactive measures to a proactive, student-centered approach. We’re integrating trauma-informed practices, youth voice, data based decision making, advanced technologies, and community-driven strategies to build environments rooted in care, connection, and empowerment.
By leading with innovation and equity, we are replacing outdated systems of control with approaches that uplift and protect. We're not just responding to safety concerns—we're reimagining what it means to truly create safe and welcoming schools.