Your Safety at Richland College

At Richland College our purpose is to provide an environment to assist in your educational endeavors. The College Police Department has the primary responsibility for the security of the college community. We offer a variety of services to the college beyond the detection and prevention of crime on campus. While no campus is immune from crime, with a cooperative effort between you and the College Police, together we can strive to keep crime at a minimum. Please become familiar with the services we provide and feel free to call us.

THE COLLEGE POLICE DEPARTMENT
The Richland College Police Department may be reached by calling 6911 from any on-campus phone or (972)238-6911 from off campus.

Officers are on duty 24 hours a day 365 days a year. All officers employed by the department are licensed peace officers by the Texas Commission On Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education (TCLEOSE). College police officers have all the rights and immunities provided for in the Texas Education Code, Code of Criminal Procedure and Penal Code. The department has the enforcement responsibility for rules and regulations promulgated by the DCCCD Board of Trustees and Richland College Administration in addition to the Texas Penal Code and Texas Transportation Code.

The department offices are open Monday - Friday from 8:30 A.M. until 5:00 P.M. The officers have direct communications via the department radio system at all other times. The department offers a variety of services to the campus community that include, motorist assistance (jump starts, keys locked in cars, etc.), escorts, medical emergencies, lost and found property, crime prevention information and investigation of all criminal incidents and motor vehicle accidents. Due to liability we no longer unlock vehicle doors for keys locked inside. However, we can provide you with a phone number to a local locksmith. A locksmith charges a fee which you will be responsible for.

The Richland College Police Department contributes to the Uniform Crime Reports monthly and annual reports. Crime statistics are filed monthly with the Texas Department of Public Safety in Austin, Texas.

All criminal incidents or suspicious activity should be reported directly to the College Police Department. The College Police Department encourages all students, faculty, staff and visitors to report unusual or suspicious activity by dialing 6911 from any on-campus phone. When reporting activity to the College Police, obtain as much information as possible, (suspect's sex, race, clothing, age, type of vehicle, license plate numbers, etc.). Do not approach the individuals yourself. Report the suspicious activity to the College Police as soon as possible.

For more information on the department go to the Police Department Page.

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CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS
Shift supervisors review all offense and incident reports. Incidents are investigated to establish the facts and circumstances. If warranted, cases are handled through administrative disciplinary action or criminal prosecution. The Dallas County District Attorney's Office or Justice of the Peace Court handles all criminal cases filed.

CRIME PREVENTION UNIT
The Crime Prevention Unit has video tapes and brochures on safety-related topics for classroom presentation and individual viewing. For information call (972)238-6758. Crime prevention information is available at several locations on the campus. The Crime Prevention Unit will supply crime prevention articles and monthly statistics to The Bridge (staff newsletter) and The Chronicle (student newspaper) for publication. The unit is staffed by Certified Crime Prevention Specialists (CCPS) as recognized by the Texas State Crime Prevention Association.

COOPERATIVE RELATIONSHIPS
The College Police Department maintains a cooperative relationship with the Dallas, Richardson and the Garland Police Departments because these three jurisdictions are in close proximity to our campus. Through these efforts, we draw upon these resources to assist our department. The College Police Department is the primary reporting agency for the campus, and all offenses and incidents should be reported to this department. Dallas Police sometimes take reports since Richland College is in Dallas. The Dallas Police Department supplies the College Police Department with monthly accounts of the reports handled by the Dallas department. With this information the College Police can identify the actual number of incidents. Accurate information is vital in our department efforts to reduce crime on campus.
All offenses occurring on the Richland College campus should be reported directly to the Richland College Police Department by calling 6911 from any on-campus phone.

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CRIME STATISTICS FOR RICHLAND COLLEGE

NUMBER OF REPORTS OF SELECTED CRIMES

NUMBER OF ARRESTS OR REFERRALS FOR SELECTED CRIMES

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ACCESS TO FACILITIES
Richland College is a public institution. The campus buildings and grounds are normally open Monday through Friday from 6:00 A.M. until 11:00 P.M., Saturdays from 8:00 A.M. until 4:30 P.M., and Sundays as necessary to accommodate classes. These times may be different during holidays, and summer semesters. Service areas such as the computer labs and library may have different hours from those times listed above. Please call those respective areas for information on operating hours. The campus is patrolled 24 hours a day by the College Police. Any potential safety and security hazards are reported to the Director of College Facilities, (972)238-6170, for corrections or repairs.

DRUG AND ALCOHOL OFFENSES
Richland College and the Dallas County Community College District prohibit the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs or alcohol on the campus grounds. Students who violate these provisions may be subject to disciplinary expulsion and criminal prosecution. Employees who violate these provisions may be subject to termination and criminal prosecution. Information and confidential referrals for counseling and treatment are available through the following departments:

*These policies are pursuant to the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act signed December 12, 1989.

USE OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS
Richland College is a Smoke Free Facility. Administrative policy prohibits the sale or use of tobacco products in the buildings of the College and the designated breezeway between Crockett Hall and Sabine Hall. Smoking and the use of other tobacco products is permitted outside all other College buildings. Any person, who violates these polices, is subject to disciplinary or other administrative action, not limited to, but including, the issuance of Notice to Appear before the Justice of the Peace citation.

PARKING AND DRIVING
Persons operating a motor vehicle on the grounds of the campus are subject to the applicable statues of the Texas Transportation Code in addition to the DCCCD Parking and Driving Regulations which are part of the Student Disciplinary Code. Violations are subject to the issuance of a College Citation or a Notice to Appear before the Justice of the Peace. Parking Decals are not required to park in the general parking areas of the campus. Handicap license plates, hang-tags or permits issued by the College Health Center are required to use the designated handicap parking areas on campus. Metered parking is available at various locations around the campus for those individuals needing close-in, short term parking. Metered rates are $0.25 for 20 minutes with a 40 minute maximum on most meters. Parking meters are enforced from 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM, 7 days a week, except College holidays.
 

College Citations are issued to the registered owner of the vehicle. Payment of citation fees may be made by mail or in person at the College Police Department. Vehicles which have three unpaid College Citations will receive a Notice to Appear before the Justice of the Peace Court.

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SEXUAL ASSAULT CASES
(FORCIBLE AND NON-FORCIBLE)
Pursuant to Public Law 102-325 (The Higher Education Amendments of 1992), Richland College has developed the following policy and procedures regarding sexual assault. All cases of sexual assault which occur on campus should be immediately reported to the College Police. Upon receipt of a report of this type, members of the College Police, Health Center and Crisis Intervention Team will be sent to render assistance to the victim's immediate needs. Each of the service providers has specific duties to perform in a sexual assault investigation. If the victim requests, the Dallas Police Department will be notified for additional assistance.

If you are the victim of a sexual assault on campus, report the crime to the College Police immediately. It is necessary to arrange medical treatment, collect physical evidence and obtain a description of the assailant so an immediate investigation can begin. Medical assistance and counseling are available on campus and through other public social assistance agencies.

The College Police, Crime Prevention Unit, Health Center and counselors, present programs and provide information to help you safeguard yourself from becoming a crime victim. Please contact the Crime Prevention Unit, (972)238-6758, for a free key ring alert whistle, additional information or a program schedule. Information and confidential referrals for counseling and treatment are available through the following departments and social assistance agencies:
 

EMERGENCY CALLBOXES
In March 1993, 21 Emergency Callboxes were installed on campus. These orange callboxes are in all parking lots, and around the lake and college jogging path. At night they are easily located by the blue beacon over each callbox. The callboxes operate 24 hours a days, 365 days a year and provide immediate access to the College Police for assistance or an emergency. Please become familiar with their locations. Callbox instructions and location maps are available at the College Police Department.

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