Safety Policies

Campus Security

The SMCC Public Safety Department is housed in the College Police Building. Our 24-hour telephone number is 480-784-0900 or campus extension x38100.

SMCC Public Safety has primary law enforcement jurisdiction on college grounds, and our certified officers have full peace officer authority, including the authority to conduct investigations and make arrests, under Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS) Title 13-3883 and by the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board. Our Public Safety Department has full-time officers.

When an ongoing threat to the safety and security of the college population is identified, SMCC Public Safety will issue a warning. This warning may be made via text message, website, emails, voice information, printed notifications, or a combination of these methods.

When a significant emergency or dangerous situation involving an immediate threat to the health or safety of the campus population is confirmed, SMCC Public Safety will initiate the campus Mass Notification System (MNS).

The MNS is capable of reaching those on campus through redundant means which may include emergency beacons, public announcements via telephones, sirens, a public address system, bullhorns and/or any 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 Public Safety Director, a campus police officer, or other college officials, based on information available at the time. Actions may vary and may include orders to evacuate a portion or all of the campus or to lock down in place.

Fire alarms, as well as evacuation and immediate warning systems, are regularly tested, and at least annually. Dates of inspection and a log of fire evacuation dates and drills can be obtained from the Public Safety Department 602-243-8100.

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 “SMCC Public Safety Update”. Copies of this update are available in the SMCC Public Safety office and distributed to all college employees via e-mail. The update provides information on specific crimes that have occurred on campus, along with tips on how to avoid being a victim.

SMCC Public Safety maintains a Daily Crime Log that contains the date, time, location, nature and disposition of all crimes occurring at the college and on an adjacent public property. Entries in the log are made within two business days of the incident report.

Copies of this log are available to anyone requesting this information at the Public Safety office. Requests for information older than 60 days will be provided within two business days. To request a daily time log, please contact the Public Safety Director at 602-243-8073 or Office Coordinator at 602-243-8201.

Statistics and security policies, collated in accordance with guidelines established in the Clery Act, 20 USC §1092(f), are published and distributed annually to all current students and employees, as well as any applicants for enrollment or employment at the college. A copy will also be provided to anyone upon request to the Public Safety office, 602-243-8100.

Public Safety personnel will escort students and staff of SMCC to their vehicles, upon request by calling 602-243-8100. We also offer assistance to drivers who have locked their keys in their car and/or whose car is disabled on campus. After the driver of the vehicle prepares and signs the appropriate vehicle assistance form, an officer will provide a battery boost or assist with opening the vehicle.

Members of SMCC Public Safety routinely provide safety presentations during college orientations and are available to speak to any department or groups of students. These presentations are designed to educate members of the college community about the services provided by SMCC Public Safety, and how to avoid becoming the victim of a crime at the college.

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 (drugs), including alcohol. The possession, sale or consumption of an alcoholic beverage on any premises owned and/or leased/rented by the District for approved educational purposes is prohibited. The policy may be viewed at

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 for students may include probation, suspension, and expulsion. For employees, it includes administrative discipline or termination.

Medical marijuana: The possession or use of medical marijuana by any person is prohibited on MCCCD property. Any non-student violating the policy shall be ordered to leave the campus. Any person, who refuses to leave, shall be subject to arrest under ARS 13-1502 Third Degree, Criminal Trespass. Any student violating this policy is subject to applicable college disciplinary procedures. Go to: https://chancellor.maricopa.edu/public-stewardship/governance/administrative-regulations/appendices/students/s-16-statement-on-the-arizona-medical-marijuana to view the policy regarding medical marijuana.

Alcohol and drug use prevention: A variety of alcohol and other drug abuse prevention efforts occur at the college during each year, to educate students regarding the health risks associated with the use and abuse of drugs and alcohol. Intervention information and services are available both on-campus and off-campus, to help students in overcoming dependencies. Additional information about health risks, available programs, the college drug policy and legal sanctions/disciplinary action may be obtained through the Office of the Dean, the Counseling Department, and the Student Handbook.

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

Additional information about health risks, programs, the college drug policy and legal sanctions/disciplinary action may be obtained through the office of the Vice President of Student Afairs.

Anyone witnessing any type of criminal activity and emergencies occurring on campus is encouraged to contact SMCC Public Safety immediately.

A report may be filed with a Public Safety Officer; Public Safety Department office personnel; or by calling 602-243-8100 (campus extension x38100.) In emergency situations, 9-1-1 may be called first, followed by a call to SMCC Public Safety.

Specific details of the incident should be given. Criminal activity off campus should be reported to SMCC Public Safety or other local law enforcement agency by dialing 9-1-1.

SMCC does not currently have a procedure for victims or witnesses to report a crime on a confidential basis. However, the Phoenix Police Department accepts and investigates ALL reported incidents, whether or not a victim or witness provides a name or other identifying information.

Criminal activity may also be reported to Vice President of Student Development; Athletic Department; or Counseling Department. Each of these departments will report criminal activity to the SMCC Public Safety, and such reports will be included in SMCC’s Crime Statistics. A formal police report is not needed for a crime report to be included in these statistics.

SMCC does not have a policy that encourages its professional counselors to inform the person being counseled of any procedures to report crime on a voluntary, confidential basis for inclusion in the annual crime disclosure statistics. Generally, when counselors do not have the permission of the victim, they can report only the occurrence of a number or statistic to the law enforcement authority.

All SMCC 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 will 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 hazardous conditions to 602-243-8100, or campus extension x38100.

The college hours of operation are Monday – Friday, 6 a.m. – 10 p.m., and Saturdays, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. The college is closed on Sundays and designated holidays.

The college does not own, maintain or control:

  • Dormitories or other residential facilities
  • Off-campus facilities for recognized student organizations
  • Non-campus buildings or properties that are used for educational purposes.

SMCC and the Maricopa Community College District do not maintain a database of sex offenders. This information is maintained by the Arizona Department of Public Safety on a public access website. Information concerning registered sex offenders may be obtained by visiting the Arizona Department of Public Safety’s Sex Offender web page.

Any student, employee or visitor to SMCC who is the victim of a sex offense, forcible or non-forcible, is encouraged to report the assault to SMCC Public Safety or the Phoenix 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 to:

  • SMCC Public Safety: in person or by calling 602-243-8100.
  • Phoenix Police Department: in person or by calling 602-262-6151.

Following a sexual assault, it is very important that the victim receive a medical examination for reasons of health and evidence. A victim should not bathe, 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, in the event the victim decides to pursue criminal charges at a later date.

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, serving 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 602-305-5608.

Public Safety police officers conduct presentations relating to crime prevention and safety policies during orientations and upon request by staff or students. Crime prevention information is distributed to all incoming students.

Sexual assault is a criminal act which subjects the perpetrator to criminal and civil penalties in state and federal courts. Besides the sanctions that can be imposed in court, South Mountain Community College will respond administratively in a sexual assault or other criminal offense if the offender is a student or employee.

Students and employees are subject to applicable Maricopa Community College District policies and disciplinary procedures, including policies prohibiting sexual harassment. Sanctions may include suspension or expulsion for student offenders and termination of employment for employees.

Victims may initiate a disciplinary action by submitting a written, signed statement detailing the incident to the Vice President of Student Development. The accuser and accused are each entitled 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.

An SMCC Public Safety Officer will respond to all incidents reported to SMCC Public Safety. When necessary, the Phoenix Police Department and/or Fire Department will respond to emergencies on campus.

In addition to immediate crisis response, SMCC also responds administratively if a reported criminal offense involves an SMCC student or employee as either a victim or alleged offender. An alleged offender who is an SMCC student or employee is subject to applicable SMCC and Arizona Community College State Board conduct policies, disciplinary procedures, and sanctions. Sanctions may include suspension or termination of employment for employee offenders (ACCSBRR 671-51).

Occasionally our faculty and staff receive notes, e-mails and phone calls which can be threatening. An example of this type of incident would include a student who conveys a threat to an instructor and stated they are upset about a grade they received or the threat could be made by a former spouse to a Maricopa employee. Whenever our employees receive a threat, the following procedure should be considered:

The recipient of the threat should notify College Police of any disconcerting e-mails or suspicious activity.

If the threat occurred away from the campus, co-report the incident to the police department where the incident occurred.

The police will ensure the involved employee’s Division Chair/Department Manager is advised of what occurred.

The victim of any threat will need to decide if they desire prosecution in any criminal case.

College Police can provide assistance with referrals regarding Orders of Protection and Injunction Against Harassment cases.

http://www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/SuperiorCourt/ProtectiveOrderCenter/index.asp

https://justicecourts.maricopa.gov/about-us/court-locations/

A civil court order issued to prevent continuing acts of family violence. Family violence is defined as any act by one member of a family or household intended to physically harm another member, a serious threat of physical harm, or the abuse of a child.

It is intended to prevent the offending person from contacting you. A judge can order that the offending person (defendant) not contact you in person, by phone, in writing or other means and can order the defendant from contacting you at specific locations such as your residence, work, school or other locations. A judge can also order that the defendant surrender and/or not purchase firearms and ammunition.

Victims must remain cautious and have a personal safety plan. It is not an order for temporary child custody for the purpose of preventing a parent from seeing children unless the children are endangered. It is not an order for visitation.

  • A civil order that does not depend upon relationships, and is available if the conduct of any person is “harassment” as defined by law.
  • It is intended to prevent a person (defendant) from contacting you and/or any other protected persons included in a judge’s order. A judge can also order that the defendant not contact you in person, by phone, in writing or other means and can order the defendant from contacting you at specific locations such as your residence work, school or other locations.
  • This generally requires two or more similar incidents within one year.

A threat assessment/safety plan will be completed by College Police. The following steps can be considered for implementation:

  • If the incident involves a threat to an instructor, the instructor should contact their Division Chair and/or VP of Learning to ascertain if the instructor still wants to still teach the class. If so, the police department may recommend moving the class to a different room and/or building.
  • If the teacher does not want to teach the class, the Division Head will be consulted to see if a substitute can be used to instruct the class.
  • The District Police will complete a threat assessment.
  • The victim of the threat should work with college police to ensure they park their vehicle in an area where the police have surveillance cameras, so the vehicle can be monitored.
  • College Police can assist with escorts from the parking areas to the respective building where classes are taught.
  • Additional patrols by College Police personnel and other safety measures will be implemented.