While crime rates at the Maricopa Community Colleges are relatively low compared to surrounding neighborhoods, no amount of crime is acceptable. The MCCCD Police Department offers professional, community-oriented services to provide a safe and secure campus for students, employees and visitors. The department has jurisdiction and operates as the primary police authority on all District/college-owned properties. The MCCCD Police Department is a full-authority police agency and employs highly trained and skilled police officers. The District's Police Communications Center is professionally staffed and operates 24 hours/7 days/365 days a year.

Reporting a Crime or Other Emergency In Progress

All crimes occurring on MCCCD properties should be reported to the MCCCD Police Department. Students, employees and others are encouraged to report all criminal and suspicious activity, along with emergencies occurring on campus. A report may be filed by contacting the District Police Communications Center, or you local college Police Department office. Emergency situations should be immediately reported to the District Communications Center at:

• 480-784-0911 (Emergency)
• 480-784-0900 (Non-emergency)
• 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.

Responding to Criminal Activity and Emergencies

A member of MCCCD Police Department will be immediately dispatched to all on-campus incidents. A police officer will respond to crimes in progress and emergency situations. The District Police Communications Center has direct contact with local police and fire departments when we need their assistance.

The Importance of Reporting All Crime

The importance of reporting crime, suspected criminal activity and unusual or suspicious behavior to the MCCCD Police Department cannot be over emphasized. The reports provide a basis for making emergency notifications and timely warnings when a crime or other situation may present an ongoing threat to the campus community. This will assist in making our campuses a safer place for the entire community. It also assists Maricopa Community Colleges in providing full disclosure of crime statistics in the Annual Security Report.

Voluntary Confidential Reporting

At Maricopa County Community College District we will take a report that will allow a victim or witness to report crime on a voluntary and confidential basis.

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 MCCCD 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.

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 victims 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 your local campus.

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 web site)

• 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.

College Response to a Sexual Assault

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, Each 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 a disciplinary action by submitting a written, signed statement detailing the incident to your College Vice President 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.

Prevention Programs:

The MCCCD Police Department conducts 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.