Policies & Crime Statistics

The information contained in this document was prepared under the guidelines established by 20 United States Code, section 1092(f), known as the "Jeanne Clery, Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act," and the Code of Federal Regulations. The information represents a general description of Glendale Community College’s security/safety policies and programs, and the crime statistics for the most recent calendar year and the two preceding calendar years; however, the information is not intended to serve as a contractual agreement between the college and the recipient.

Introduction

Glendale Community College enjoys good relations with its neighbors and maintains a highly visible College Police Department that provides for the safety and security of the campus community. However, no community can be totally risk-free in today’s society. To lessen the chances of crimes occurring within the campus community, cooperation and vigilance are critical. All members of the campus community are encouraged to immediately report all suspected crimes, unusual or suspicious activities, and emergencies to Public Safety.

Campus Police and Security

GCC College Police provides for the security and safety of the campus community. The department is located on the west end of campus, north of the Math building. GCC College Police is in operation 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The telephone number is (480) 784-0900, or on-campus extension 40900.

The MCCCD College Police Department is supervised by a district chief of police and deputy chief of police. The GCC College Police staff consists of a Commander,  Lieutenant, Sergeant, six police officers, College Police supervisors, College Police aides, and an office coordinator. Glendale North College Police is supervised by the GCC Commander of College Police. The GCC College Police Commander reports directly to the district chief of police and deputy chief of police. GCC College Police maintains a cooperative working relationship with the Glendale Police Department and Fire Department and will request assistance from these agencies as needed.

The College Police Commander, Lieutenant, Sergeant, and all college police officers have full peace officer authority, including arrest authority under Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS) Title 13-3883 and as further defined by the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board. The department's College Police Aides have no arrest authority except those granted under ARS 13-3884.

Security and Access to College Facilities

Glendale Community College strives to maintain a safe and secure campus environment for students, staff and visitors. Offices, laboratories and classrooms are secured when not in use and officers who discover defective doors and locks, interior/exterior lighting problems, or other safety hazards, immediately report the situation to the appropriate college department for action. To further improve safety, the college encourages all campus community members to take an active role and immediately report any observation of a suspected crime, unusual or suspicious activity, emergency, or hazardous condition to (480) 784-0900, or on-campus extension 40900.

The college does not own, maintain or control: a) dormitories or other residential facilities; b) off-campus facilities for recognized student organizations; and c) non-campus buildings or properties that are used for educational purposes.

For safety and security reasons, it is important to notify College Police when you are present on campus during non-business hours: i.e. holidays, weekends, and late evening hours. Additionally, please notify College Police when you are leaving campus during these designated times.

Reporting Crime and Emergencies

Crime or other emergencies in progress: Students, employees and others are encouraged to report all criminal activity and emergencies occurring on campus. A report may be filed with a campus police officer, appropriate personnel in the College Police Department, or by calling (480) 784-0900, or on-campus extension 40900. Calls to 9-1-1 will be routed to the Glendale Police Department and may delay the response of campus police officers.

Reports of a past crime or incident may be made to the following law enforcement authorities:

• The GCC College Police Department: In person or by calling (480) 784-0900, or on-campus extension 40900.
• The Glendale Police Department: In person or by calling (623) 930-3000.

Crimes may also be reported to Campus Security Authorities as defined by the Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. These authorities include officials who have significant responsibility for student and campus activities such as the Dean of Student Affairs, athletic coaches and various faculty advisors.

The Importance of Reporting All Crime

The importance of reporting a crime, suspected crime and unusual or suspicious activity to the GCC College Police Department cannot be overemphasized. The reports provide a basis for making timely warnings when a crime may present a threat to other members of the campus community and also assist the college in providing full disclosure in the annual crime statistics report. In addition, such action by a victim or witness will assist in making the campus environment a safer place for the entire community.

Voluntary Confidential Reporting

At Glendale Community College we will take a report that will allow a victim or witness to report a crime on a voluntary and confidential basis. Call the College Police office at (480) 784-0900, or on-campus extension 40900, and ask to speak to a police officer.

Confidential Reporting to a Counselor

Glendale Community College does not have a policy or procedure that encourages its professional counselors; if and when the counselor deems it appropriate, to inform the person being counseled of any procedures to report a crime on a voluntary, confidential basis for inclusion in the annual disclosure of crime statistics. Generally, when counselors do not have the permission of the victim, they can only report the occurrence of a number/statistic to the law enforcement authority.

College Response to a Sexual Assault

Sexual assault is a criminal act that subjects the perpetrator to criminal and civil penalties in state and federal courts. Besides the sanctions that can be imposed in court, Glendale Community College will respond administratively if a sexual assault or other criminal offense involves a student or employee as the offender. Students and employees are subject to applicable District policies and disciplinary procedures, including policies prohibiting sexual harassment. Sanctions may include suspension or expulsion for student offenders or termination of employment for employees.

Victims may commence disciplinary action by submitting a written, signed statement detailing the incident to the Associate Dean of Student Services. The accuser and accused are entitled to the same opportunities to have others present during the disciplinary hearing, and in the case of sexual assault, both the accuser and accused shall be informed of the outcome.

Reporting a Sexual Assault

Any student, employee or visitor who is the victim of a sex offense, forcible or non-forcible, is encouraged to report the assault to the GCC College Police Department or the Glendale Police Department. If a victim so chooses, he/she may be assisted by college authorities in reporting the assault to the proper law enforcement authorities. After making the report, the victim is not obligated to continue with legal or college disciplinary action. The assault may be reported in person at:

• The GCC College Police Department: In person or by calling (480) 784-0900, or on-campus extension 40900.
• The Glendale Police Department: In person or by calling (623) 930-3000.

Preserving Evidence Of A Sexual Assault

After a sexual assault, it is very important that the victim receive a medical examination for health and evidentiary reasons. A victim should not wash; use the toilet or change clothes before seeing trained medical personnel. If clothes are changed, those worn during the assault should be placed in a paper bag and taken along to the examination. Even if the victim is certain that he/she will not prosecute, it is important to gather as much evidence as possible just in case the victim decides to pursue criminal charges at a later date.

Coping with Sexual Assault

Victims of a sexual assault may find it helpful to discuss their experience with a counselor. College counselors are available to meet with victims in an informal and private setting. The counselor can assist by changing a victim's academic situation, serve as a source of referral to outside agencies, and provide information about on-and-off campus reporting, prosecution procedures, and the college disciplinary process. College counselors may be contacted by calling (623) 845-3064.

Victims of a sexual assault may also receive free, confidential, twenty-four-hour, counseling by calling the Rape Abuse Incest National Network (RAINN) at 1-800-656-4673, extension 1. Trained counselors are available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

How To Reduce The Risk Of Sexual Assault

Reproduced from the RAINN website.

• When you go to a party, go with a group of friends.
• Arrive together, watch out for each other, and leave together.
• Don’t leave your beverage unattended or accept a drink from an open container.
• Don’t allow yourself to be isolated with someone you don’t know or trust.
• Be aware of your surroundings at all times.
• Trust your instincts.
• Think about the level of intimacy you want in a relationship, and clearly state your limits.

Prevention Programs

College Police officers conduct presentations relating to crime prevention and safety policies during orientations and at other times when requested by staff or students. Crime prevention materials are distributed to all incoming students.

Illicit Drugs and Alcohol Policy

District Policy

The Maricopa Community College District supports the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989, Public Law 101-226, and complies with all federal, state, and local laws pertaining to controlled substances, including alcohol. The possession, sale or consumption of an alcoholic beverage in any premises owned and/or leased/rented by the District for approved educational purposes is prohibited.

College Response To Alcohol And Drug Violations

Besides the sanctions imposed by federal and state courts concerning controlled substance violation(s), the college will respond administratively when the offense involves a student or employee as the offender. Students and employees are subject to applicable District policies and disciplinary procedures. Sanctions may include suspension or expulsion for student offenders or termination of employment for employees.

Medical Marijuana

The possession or use of medical marijuana by any person is prohibited on GCC property. Violators are subject to arrest and/or disciplinary action.  View the Maricopa Community College Alcohol and Cannabis Policy

Alcohol and Drug Use Prevention

GCC sponsors and/or participates in the following drug prevention activities:

• Counseling services provide individual sessions on the topic of Substance Abuse. When necessary, counselors will provide referral services to community-based agencies. College counselors can be reached by calling (623) 845-3064.
• Drug and alcohol awareness workshops are offered through GCC Student Life office at (623) 845-3525.

Campus community members who may have an alcohol or drug problem can also receive assistance by calling:

• Al-Anon at 1-800-356-9996
• American Council on Alcoholism at 1-800-527-5344
• National Institute on Drug Abuse Hotline at 1-800-662-4357
• DRUGHELP at 1-800-378-4435

Off-Campus Student Organizations

College Police do not monitor the activities of off-campus student organizations.

Responding to Criminal Activity and Emergencies

A College Police officer will be immediately dispatched to all on-campus incidents. A campus police officer and, if necessary, a Glendale Police officer will respond to each report of criminal activity. The Glendale Fire Department responds to reports of fire or medical emergencies.

Crime Awareness & Prevention Programs

Timely Warnings and Immediate Warnings

In the event of the identification of an on-going threat to the safety and security of the college population, GCC College Police will issue a warning. This warning may be made via posters, emails, through the college newspaper, voice notification, SMS texting, or a combination of these methods.

Upon confirmation of a significant emergency or dangerous situation involving an immediate threat to the health or safety of the campus population, GCC College Police will initiate the campus Mass Notification System (MNS). The MNS is capable of reaching those on campus through redundant means that may include emergency beacons, VoIP telephony, sirens, a public address system, bullhorns and/or other means available. The decision on an appropriate course of action and the type of instructions given to the campus community will be made by the College Police Commander, a campus police officer or other college official based upon the information available at the time. Actions may vary and may include orders to evacuate a portion of or all of the campus or to lockdown in place.

Fire alarms, as well as evacuation and immediate warning (MNS) systems, are tested on a regular basis or at the very least annually.

College Police Updates/Daily Crime Log

The occurrence of crime considered to present a threat to members of the campus community is reported on a weekly basis (bi-weekly during the summer months) through the "GCC Public Safety Update." Copies of the update are available in the College Police office, is provided to the college newspaper, and all college employees receive a copy through electronic mail. The update provides information on specific crime(s) that have occurred on campus and routinely contains tips on how to avoid becoming a victim.

GCC College Police maintains a Daily Crime Log that contains the date, time, location, nature and disposition of all crimes occurring at the college and on adjacent public property. Entries in the log are made within two business days of the incident report. Copies of the log are available to anyone requesting this information at the College Police office. Requests for Daily Crime Log information older than 60 days will be provided within two business days.  

Escort To Vehicle Service

We are available to the students, faculty and staff of Glendale Community College to escort you to your vehicle. A request may be made to GCC College Police from a campus phone at extension 40900 or (480) 784-0900. An officer will respond and accompany you to a vehicle or the bus stop closest to the campus.

Safety Presentations

Members of GCC College Police routinely provide safety presentations during class orientations. They are also available to talk to any department or groups of students. The orientations and talks are designed to educate members of the college community about the services provided by GCC College Police and how to avoid becoming the victim of a crime at the college.

Weapons, Smoking & Children on Campus

Weapons

With the exception of campus police officers and other state-certified police officers, the possession or use of a firearm on campus is strictly forbidden. The Maricopa Community College District Governing Board promulgated the weapons policy under ARS §13-2911 C. anyone violating the policy is subject to arrest under ARS § 13-2911 and/or subject to applicable college disciplinary procedures.

Smoking

All Maricopa Community College Properties are 100% tobacco-free as of July 1, 2012.

The Breathe Easy campaign prohibits all forms of tobacco (including the use of e-cigs) from all District-owned and leased property and facilities, including but not limited to parking lots, rooftops, courtyards, plazas, entrance and exit ways, vehicles, sidewalks, common areas, grounds, athletic facilities, and libraries. See the Chancellor's video message.  

Please review all Enforcement guidelines.

Questions regarding the policies and regulations established by the Maricopa County Community College District may be directed to Teresa Toney, Manager, Maricopa Governance/Ombudsman Services, 480-731-8880.

Children on Campus

Children younger than 18 years of age may not attend a class unless they are officially registered for the class. Children that are not officially registered are not allowed on campus unless participating in an authorized college program or under the immediate supervision of an adult.

Annual Disclosure of Crime Statistics

Preparing The Annual Disclosure

GCC College Police, under the direction of the Commander of College Police, has the responsibility of gathering the data used to prepare the annual campus crime statistics. The data is obtained from reports made to the GCC College Police Department, the Glendale Police Department, and College Security Authorities. Campus crime data is gathered the same day that it is reported. Data is obtained annually from the Glendale Police Department and compared with the data gathered at the college. The resulting data is used to prepare the annual crime statistics report.

Glendale Community College’s Annual Crime Statistics

GCC's crime statistics were gathered in accordance with the guidelines established under the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (20 U.S.C. §1092(f)). The crime definitions outlined in the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Incident-Based Reporting System, as modified by the Hate Crime Statistics Act, were utilized in compiling the numbers.

Statistics and security policies, collated in accordance to the guidelines established in the Clery Act (20 USC §1092(f)), are published and distributed annually to all current students and employees, and to any applicant for enrollment or employment at the college. A copy will also be provided to anyone, upon request to the College Police office, in person or by telephone at (480) 784-0900, or on-campus extension 40900.

Registered Sex Offenders

Sex offender registry information is not maintained by GCC College Police. Law enforcement agency information concerning registered sex offenders may be obtained by visiting the following Internet address: www.azsexoffender.com

The Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act mandates that convicted sex offenders, required to register under state law, must also disclose their association with institutions of higher education when applicable. Specifically affected are those registered sex offenders who attend as students, are employed by or employed at or volunteer at institutions of higher education. The GCC College Police Department may notify the campus community of a registered sex offender as required by law. The notification process may be made through posters, emails or alerts on the College Police web page.