Security & safety department
Director
Administrative Assistant
18367 8th Avenue South
Seattle, WA 98148
Phone: 206.631.7600
Fax: 206.631.7644
About Us
Highline Public Schools Security & Safety Department was created in 1971, starting with two full-time security officers. Changes in the laws, schools, and community demographics as well as an increase in social violence, have sparked the need for more security officers in schools. In response to these changes, the department has grown to 14 employees, 12 of which are security officers.
The security and safety department operates 24 hours, 7 days a week. Unlike other school security departments, Highline Public Schools requires law enforcement experience to qualify for a position as a district level security officer. We believe this extra measure of experience and training provides the maximum level of service and protection for our students, staff, and community. Our campus security officers are not armed and therefore do not require law enforcement background.
The security and safety department provides roving district coverage in the four service areas. These district security officers are based out of the secondary schools and are mobile so they respond to any service calls at any school and to any district emergency that may arise. In addition, each of the four main high school campuses have their own campus security officer.
Highline Public Schools serve students from unincorporated King County (White Center area), the cities of Burien, SeaTac, Normandy Park, Des Moines, and parts of Kent and Tukwila. Also, other students from various school districts attend special program in our district. We have partnered with the local cities and government as they provide police officers (also known as School Resource Officers) to work on our four high school campuses. The security and safety department works closely with the various agencies and with the School Resource Officers (SROs). These partnerships are valuable as we work together to provide a safe learning environment for students and staff.
The security department operates the “Highline Hotline” 206-433-2566 where students, staff, and the public can anonymously report threats, drug activity, or provide other information that could assist in maintaining a safe school environment. After business hours, any calls on the Hotline are recorded on an answering machine.
The district security department also provides schools and departments with emergency response planning guidelines and support. Each school has developed a site-specific emergency response plan, and the security and safety department staff members are trained and equipped to be the first responders in emergency situations.
