Campus Security

Off-Campus Policy

The EPCC PD maintains a strong working relationship with all local law enforcement agencies and is available to assist on an as-needed basis. EPCC PD does not provide law enforcement service to off-campus locations. Exceptions are emergency situations that involve a threat of serious bodily injury or death.

General Procedures for Reporting a Crime or Emergency

Community members, students, staff, faculty, and visitors are encouraged to report all crimes and public safety related incidents that may occur on any El Paso Community College Campus or property in a timely manner. To report a crime or public safety related incident call the emergency number. There are also thirty two Emergency Call Boxes located in various parking lots at each of the campuses, and the call boxes can be utilized to report an emergency or non-emergency public safety related incident. Dispatchers are available on a twenty-four hour basis, every day of the year – including holidays – to answer your call. In response to the call, the EPCC Police Department will take the required action, dispatching an officer or asking the victim to report to the police department to file an incident report. An EPCC PD investigator will investigate a report when it is deemed necessary. All criminal investigations involving students, and all non-criminal violations of the Code of Student Conduct will be forwarded to the Vice President, Student Services, for further action.

Crimes should be reported to the EPCC Police Department to ensure inclusion in our annual crime statistics and to aid in providing Campus Safety Alerts to the college community, when appropriate.

Policy for Reporting the Annual Disclosure of Crime Statistic

The El Paso Community College Police Department prepares this report to comply with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure to Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act. This report is prepared in cooperation with local law enforcement agencies whose jurisdiction is adjacent to EPCC property.

Campus crime, arrest, and referral statistics include those reported to the EPCC Police, the Vice President of Student Services, and local law enforcement agencies.

Each year, all students and prospective students are notified as part of the registration process that the report is available on line and that hard copies are available, upon request, through the EPCC Police, Building C, room 101, Valle Verde Campus. All faculty and staff are similarly notified via campus email. Prospective employees will receive notification of the report’s availability from Human Resources.

Confidential Reporting Policy/Procedure

If you are the victim of a crime and do not want to pursue action within the El Paso Community College System or the Criminal Justice System, you may still want to consider a confidential report. With your permission, the EPCC Police Chief, or his or her designee, can file a report detailing the incident without revealing your identity. The purpose of a confidential report is to comply with your wish to keep the matter confidential, while taking steps to ensure the future safety of yourself and others. With such information, the El Paso Community College can keep accurate records of the number of incidents involving constituents, determine where there is a pattern of crime with regard to a particular location, method, or assailant, and alert the campus community to potential danger. Reports filed in this manner are counted and disclosed in the annual crime statistics for the college.

Alcoholic Beverage Policy

In accordance with EPCC Board of Trustee Policy 2.01.08, and Texas Education Code section 51.201, EPCC prohibits the unlawful manufacture, possession, consumption, distribution, dispensation, sale, or use of alcohol and controlled substances (illegal drugs as defined by Texas and Federal Law), on all EPCC property and premises, or at any college-related activity or event.

Any student or employee in violation of this policy is subject to arrest and/or appropriate college disciplinary action, to include expulsion or termination of employment.

Illegal Drug Policy

In accordance with EPCC Board of Trustee Policy 2.01.08, The Texas Penal Code, and Texas Education Code section 51.201, EPCC prohibits the unlawful manufacture, possession, consumption, distribution, dispensation, sale, or use of alcohol and controlled substances (illegal drugs as defined by Texas and Federal Law) on all EPCC property and premises, or at any college-related activity or event.

Any student or employee in violation of this policy is subject to immediate arrest and/or referral to the Vice President, Student Services, for appropriate college disciplinary action, to include expulsion or termination of employment.

Timely Warning Policy

In the event that a situation arises, either on or off campus, that, in the judgment of the EPCC Police Chief constitutes an ongoing or continuing threat, a district-wide Campus Security Alert will be issued. Additionally, the information will be provided the campus newspaper and campus radio and televisions stations for publication. Anyone with information warranting a Campus Security Alert should report the circumstances to the EPCC Police Department.