FAQs
General Information
Records and Statistics:
Reporting A Crime:
Services:
Being Stopped by ACC Police
General Feedback
General Information
Q: Where is the ACC Police Department located?
A: Located on each Campus is a Police Department office. Our central office is located at 9101 Tuscany Way in the ACC Service Center.
Q: What is the ACC Police Department's phone number?
A: Emergency = 222 (on campus telephones) 223-7999 (off campus telephones)
- Police Dispatch = 223-7999
- Administration = 223-1231
Q: What are Police Department hours?
A: ACC Police Department is open 24-hours a day, 7-days a week. The hours of individual employees vary. However, a message can be taken for employees at any hour. To leave a message for an individual employee, call 223-7999. Please understand that an employee’s personal information will not be released. This includes schedules, home phone numbers, etc.
Q: Are the ACC cops real police?
A: Yes. ACC police officers are licensed by the State of Texas and commissioned by Austin Community College.
Q: What is the jurisdiction of the ACC Police?
A: Because ACCPD Officers are Texas certified peace officers, they have jurisdiction in every county in Texas where property is owned, leased, rented, or otherwise under the control of Austin Community College.
Q: Do ACC Police Officers carry firearms?
A: Yes. As commissioned Texas Peace Officers, they carry firearms.
Q: Can the ACC Police Department make arrests and/or issue traffic tickets off campus?
A: Yes. ACC Police Officers are commissioned peace officers pursuant to Texas Education Code, Chapter 51 and Texas Code of Criminal Procedure 212.
Q: How can I appeal my ticket?
A: If you are cited to a Justice court, follow the instructions on the addendum given to you but the officer. If you receive an ACC ticket, you may appeal the citation by completing the Traffic Violation Appeal Form. Return the completed form and a copy of the citation within 12 calendar days to the Service Center Police Department Office. For more information call 223-7999.
Q: Where can I pay my ticket?
A: Justice of the Peace citations are handled through the specific Justice of the Peace Court. ACC tickets can be paid at any Campus Cashiers office. For a list of campuses, click here.
Q: Where can I park?
A: The answer to this question is complicated. There are different parking permits and different types of reserved parking. For more information on parking rules and regulations, please refer to the Parking Information page on our Web site. Questions regarding parking should be directed to the Police office on the campus you attend.
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Records and Statistics:
Q: Can you check my driver's license number and tell me how many tickets I have on my record?
A: No. While ACCPD has access to this information, it is for law enforcement purposes only. However, we can provide you with the specific procedures and addresses for obtaining this information through the Texas Department of Public Safety. Call Police Dispatch at 223-7999 for more information.
Q: How can I get a copy of ACC's Crime Statistics?
A: Our yearly crime reports can be found on our Web site.
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Reporting A Crime:
Q: Can I make a report over the phone?
A: It depends on the type of incident. Some incidents do not have evidence left at the scene and may be taken over the phone. Other reports may require the officer to view the scene of the crime, record and collect evidence and/or dust for fingerprints. In most cases an officer will want to meet with you in person to take the report.
Q: I was in an accident and exchanged information with the other driver, but did not call the police. Now the other party doesn't want to pay for the damage to my car. Can you investigate and make them pay?
A: Probably not since an officer cannot investigate an accident when they were never called to the scene. If you are involved in an accident, you should contact the police to take an accident report immediately. If damage is minimal and there are no injuries, you may choose to simply exchange information with the other party and handle the matter between yourselves. However, when you advise your insurance carrier of the accident they may require an accident report. If you did not request an officer's report at the time of the accident, the only way to report the accident is to complete an Driver's Confidential Accident Report Form ST-2 (Blue Form) yourself and send it to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). This form is available at all Police Departments
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Services:
Q: I have lost something and want to know if it was turned in. Who do I call?
A: Contact the Police Department Office on the campus where you think you misplaced the item.
Q: My car is not where I parked it last. How do I check to see if it was towed?
A: Check the Police Office on the campus where you parked or contact Police Dispatch.
Q: My car was towed. How do I get it back?
A: Check the Police Office on the campus where you parked or contact Police Dispatch.
Q: I locked my keys in my car or my car needs a jump start. Will ACCPD help me?
A: ACC Police Department may be able to assist you. You will be asked to sign a release of liability before these services are attempted and there is a possibility your car may be damaged. ACC Police Department provides this service to our community at no charge. However, ACC and the ACC Police Department and its officers are not responsible for any damage caused while providing this service.
Q: I have class after dark and am uneasy about walking back to my car alone. Can I request an escort to my vehicle?
A: Yes. Contact Campus Police at 223-7999. The first available officer will be sent to your location.
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Being Stopped by ACC Police
Q: What should I know if I'm stopped by the ACC Police?
A: Recently, across the country, there have been several tragic incidents resulting from contact between citizens and police officers. The ACC Police Department is concerned and would like to avoid having these types of situations occur on our campus. For this reason, we have developed this information to help citizens better understand what to expect from police officers if they are stopped and/or questioned. A familiarity with law enforcement concerns and practices will help avert needless confrontation or misunderstandings.
While there are no specific guidelines for citizens in handling contacts with police, the following suggestions are beneficial. ACCPD places a great deal of value on maintaining positive police-community relations and to have contacts and interviews resolved without unnecessary conflict or injury to either the officer or the citizen. This information will hopefully help to minimize your stress and anxiety during your contact with the police and at the same time give you some insight into the concerns and procedures of the officers.
If You Are Stopped by the Police While In Your Car.
- As soon as you notice the police emergency lights pull your vehicle over to the right and stop immediately.
- Although you might not know the reason, you should pull over right away.
- You may have committed some minor traffic violation without realizing it.
- There may be some problem with your vehicle of which you are unaware.
- Remain in your vehicle while the officer approaches.
- Do not attempt to get out of your vehicle or approach the officer.
- Exiting your vehicle does not assist the officer and may be perceived as a threat.
- For the officer's safety and yours, remain in your vehicle.
- Turn on your interior light if stopped at night.
- A lit vehicle cabin will reduce the officer's concern regarding weapons or other possible threats within your reach.
- Keep your hands easily observable, preferably on the steering wheel where they can be easily seen by the approaching officer.
- Reaching under your seat or into your glove box are actions that will cause the officer concern that you may be reaching for a weapon.
- Please discontinue cell phone calls immediately.
- Give your license and proof of insurance to the officer if asked to do so.
- Texas law requires a driver to turn over this information upon request by a uniformed officer or an officer in plain clothes who displays proper identification.
- Most officers will not provide a specific reason for the stop until they have received your license and proof of insurance. This is to avoid debating the reason for the stop prior to acquiring this necessary information.
- If you wish to inquire as to why you were stopped or offer an explanation, do so before the officer returns to his or her vehicle.
Answer all questions honestly. Information pertaining to prior arrests or traffic violations is easily verified via the police dispatcher.
Touching or threatening a police officer or acting in a disorderly manner could result in the filing of additional charges against you and you will be arrested.
If the officer asks you to step out of your vehicle, do so without any sudden or threatening movements.
Give the officer approximately 3 - 5 feet of "personal" space as a safety zone to do his or her job.
Remain in your vehicle at all times unless told to do otherwise.
Do not become argumentative, disorderly, or abusive. If an officer has already written a ticket, it cannot be voided at that time. If you believe that you have been unfairly treated, DO NOT make that argument on the side of the road. Your best alternative is to carry your protest to Traffic Court.
Whether an officer issues you a ticket or gives you a warning is entirely up to their individual discretion. Your conduct during the stop may influence the officer's decision.
Don't Be Offended
Most citizens already realize that law enforcement is a difficult and dangerous profession. Scores of police officers are killed each year, and hundreds more are injured and assaulted. For these reasons, police officers tend to be extremely cautious. They place a great deal of emphasis on officer safety and survival. Certain safety practices are instilled in our officers from the first day of their careers. Although the procedures maximize safety for the officer, they may seem standoffish, impolite, or offensive to citizens who may not consider such precautions necessary with them. Even though you have no intention of doing the officer harm, he or she will probably maintain a defensive posture until the officer feels that there is no risk of confrontation or injury. As far as police officers are concerned, there is no such thing as a "routine" traffic stop. Every stop has the potential for danger.
If the Police Approach You On the Street
Innocent individuals are often offended or angered, or both, because an officer has detained them for questioning. Although the delay might be inconvenient for you, the officer believes there is a reason (reasonable suspicion) to stop you and ask questions. Most of these stops are not officer-initiated. The most common reasons that cause an officer to stop someone are as follows:
- You might be one of only a few people walking around in the vicinity of a crime that has recently occurred.
- Your clothing or appearance may be similar or identical to that described by witnesses as being worn by the perpetrator of a crime.
- Someone may have called the police complaining about your presence or that you looked "suspicious."
- Someone may have pointed you out to the officer.
- You might be acting in a manner that the officer considers "suspicious" and you may act even more "suspicious" after realizing that the officer is observing you.
The police officer does not wish to detain you any longer than necessary. Once the officer is able to determine that you are not the individual that he or she is looking for, the officer will often apologize for the inconvenience and then quickly leave to resume the search.
In All Police Encounters...
- Avoid making sudden movements (for your wallet, into your coat, toward your waistband, etc.) until you have informed the officer of your intention to do so and the officer has said it's okay.
- Do not carry weapons (real or otherwise) or even joke about having a weapon on your person.
- Do not touch the police officer or violate his or her personal safety zone (3 - 5 feet).
- Remain calm and avoid being argumentative. (If you are uncooperative and refuse to answer reasonable questions, the officer is likely to become more suspicious and the encounter will probably last much longer than necessary.)
- Comply first, then you may seek an explanation from the officer or the officer's supervisor later.
Summary
There are times when citizens who have contact with the police come away with feelings of frustration or dissatisfaction. The Austin Community College Police Department does not condone police misconduct of any type. In our experience, we have learned that those negative feelings are often a result of not knowing the reason(s) an officer has made certain requests or acted in a certain manner. Unfortunately, demands on a patrol officer do not always permit time for explanations at the time you are stopped. Hopefully, the information presented here will give you an understanding of police procedures and let you know what to expect from a police officer if you are stopped.
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General Feedback
Q: How do I praise or complain about an officer/dispatcher?
A: ACC Police Department's relationship with the community and ensuring that we provide excellent service is vital to achieving our overall mission of a safe and secure campus. All members of the ACC community can expect to be treated in a courteous and professional manner by members of our department. ACC Police Department will not tolerate an employee who acts unprofessionally or rudely or who does not provide an appropriate level of service. We also wish to recognize instances where our employees have been especially helpful or have exceeded your expectations in the service they have provided. The quality of our service is dependent in part on feedback from the community we serve. ACC Police Department is developing a professional standards process to respond to citizen complaints and concerns. The department also has various ways in which we are able to recognize outstanding performance by our employees.
Please help us improve our department by bringing your compliments and complaints to the attention of the on duty Police Supervisor in a timely manner:
Request the on-duty Police Supervisor by calling 223-7999.
Please inform the Dispatcher of the campus where the contact occurred.
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