The Youth Sports Program allows members of the Tempe Police Department connect with youth in the community through positive engagement and mentorship. Officers spend every other Saturday night playing pickup basketball at the Escalante Center and coaching flag football and soccer in the fall and spring.

ACAC Football (Fall)

Six Officers’ coach three middle school flag football teams, consisting of approximately 20-60 kids for each school.  This is a great mentoring experience for the youth and the Officers who participate. Due to Covid-19 restrictions this season will only consist Saturday practices which will consist of skills and conditioning. This program runs through the Fall (Youth ages 10-13). 

For more information, please visit Tempe Parks and Recreation.  

Teen Hoops at Escalante Center (Summer)

Four to five Officers attend pickup basketball games at the Escalante Center every other Saturday throughout the summer.  The PD collaborates with Angels on Patrol who donates pizza and Gatorade for each event.  We average 25-40 kids each night.  Games run from approximately 1700 to 1830 (Youth ages 11-17). This program creates opportunity for mentioning and positive engagement with youth.

Team Kids Challenge

Two Officers collaborate with ASU, Tempe Fire Medical Rescue (TFMR) and Starbucks to provide leadership and positive community awareness to two schools in Tempe.  Currently Arredondo and Aguilar Elementary Schools are participating. Officers spend 8 hours over 5 weeks conducting both large pep- rally type educational messaging as well as small group leadership exercises with the older students.  The 5 weeks culminates in a large carnival put on by the older students for the younger students to raise money for a charity of the youth’s choice.  The entire school participates in this program (Youth ages 6-10). For more information please visit https://www.teamkids.org/