Campus Security

The primary role for the SPC Police Department (SPCPD) is to protect the lives and safety of students, faculty, staff and all visitors of South Plains College. The secondary objective is to protect the buildings, grounds, and property of the college. In addition to these functions, the Police Department will function in the area of public service and public relations.

Reporting

All criminal activity, accidents and incidents requiring police investigation on College property should be reported immediately to the SPCPD by telephoning the department at the appropriate number listed below.  In case of emergencies, dial 911.

Levelland SPCPD – (806) 716-2396 or extension 2396

Reese SPCPD (806) 893-5705

Plainview SPCPD 806-252-8925

Lubbock Career and Technical Center (Lubbock ISD Police) – 806-766-1193

The SPCPD on the Levelland Campus is located in the Student Center, next to the bookstore. At the Reese Center, it is located in Building 8.

SPC police officers can be contacted by telephone, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on the Levelland Campus. Police coverage or security services are provided during such time when classes are scheduled at the Reese Center, Byron Martin Advanced Technology Center, and the Plainview Center.  Reduced coverage may be authorized during non-peak hours and holiday periods.

Upon investigation of an incident, accident, or crime on campus, a written report will be prepared and filed with the SPCPD. Copies of reports may be available to the proper individuals who need the information in the reports. In addition, a daily activity log is maintained at the SPCPD office for review by anyone.

About the South Plains College Police Department

The SPCPD operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year on the Levelland Campus. SPCPD authorized strength is 7 total personnel: 6 sworn police officers and one ticket writer who is located on the Levelland Campus. The Department’s police officers are peace officers as defined under Article 2.12 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure and are fully empowered by the State as peace officers. The Department’s police officers are armed and have the same authority to detain and arrest as municipal police officers.

Jurisdiction

SPCPD operates under Sec. 51.203 of the Texas Education Code which states “CAMPUS PEACE OFFICERS. (a) The governing boards of each state institution of higher education and public technical institute may employ and commission peace officers for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this subchapter. The primary jurisdiction of a peace officer commissioned under this section includes all counties in which property is owned, leased, rented, or otherwise under the control of the institution of higher education or public technical institute that employs the peace officer.

(b) Within a peace officer's primary jurisdiction, a peace officer commissioned under this section:

(1) is vested with all the powers, privileges, and immunities of peace officers;

(2) may, in accordance with Chapter 14, Code of Criminal Procedure, arrest without a warrant any person who violates a law of the state; and

(3) may enforce all traffic laws on streets and highways.

(c) Outside a peace officer's primary jurisdiction a peace officer commissioned under this section is vested with all the powers, privileges, and immunities of peace officers and may arrest any person who violates any law of the state if the peace officer:

(1) is summoned by another law enforcement agency to provide assistance;

(2) is assisting another law enforcement agency; or

(3) is otherwise performing his duties as a peace officer for the institution of higher education or public technical institute that employs the peace officer.

(d) Any officer assigned to duty and commissioned shall take and file the oath required of peace officers.

(e) Any person commissioned under this Act must be a certified police officer under the requirements of the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement.”

Training

Police officers at SPCPD have completed a police academy licensed by The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and been licensed by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education (TCLEOSE). In addition to the Academy, officers receive 15 weeks of field training and a minimum of 40 hours of in-service training every two years, as required by law.

Security of Campus Facilities

Keys to college offices and buildings are issued on a restricted basis to full-time employees (see policy DO. College Keys and DB. Building Security). Campus buildings are open during regularly scheduled business hours. Campus police patrol the campuses on a regular basis.

The following residence halls are currently equipped with key card access controls: Tubb, Southwest, Gillespie, North Sue, South Sue, and Baker Center. Residence hall staff (dorm directors and/or wing advisors) live in each of the residence halls.

Security cameras are located throughout each of the campuses. Cameras are not routinely monitored but are used in the investigation of crimes or code violations.

Campus police work closely with the SPC maintenance department to ensure adequate lighting is maintained throughout the campus locations.

 

Traffic and Parking

All motorized vehicles operated on the South Plains College campus must be parked in properly designated parking spaces. All faculty, staff and students should properly display a valid parking sticker on the vehicle.

Motorized vehicles operated on campus streets are subject to state and city traffic laws.  South Plains College parking citations and City of Levelland traffic citations may be issued by South Plains College officers.

 The "Campus Parking and Traffic Regulations" handbook contains a complete explanation of the college’s parking and traffic regulations and procedures.

SPCPD Handbook

 The SPC Police Department shall publish and keep current a handbook covering the rules, regulations, general orders and operational procedures of the department. Changes to this handbook must be approved by the Dean of Students and the Vice President for Student Affairs.

Approved: Executive Council

September 26, 2016