The Amarillo College Police Department is more than just an independent police force operating with state-certified peace officers that provide AC campuses with law enforcement specialties. Dead car battery jump-starts, retrieval of locked keys in cars, personal item engraving and the safety escort program are a few of the additional services the ACPD offers to students and faculty Cpl. Scott Acker, ACPD patrol supervisor, discussed a few of the services that students and staff should be aware of, emphasizing the fact that “This is all free,” he said. “We unlock cars, we jump-start batteries, and if you have a flat tire, call us. We’ll come out and help you.” Students who need a police escort, day or night, can call ACPD via the non-emergency phone number and simply request the daily service, which is available only on AC campuses. “Call and tell our dispatcher who they are, where they’re at and that they need an escort,” he said.Police officers will be happy to escort individuals to and from their car, class or wherever they need to go, Acker said. Students and staff who want to personalize items with engraving should visit the ACPD office in 111-A Durrett Hall on the Washington Street Campus. “If you need something engraved, bicycle, electronics, anything that you feel that you’d like to have engraved with identification, stop by,” Acker said. “We can do that.” ACPD also provides the AC community with education and safety events. The department was scheduled to host a domestic violence awareness event Wednesday in the Badger Den on the Washington Street Campus. The event featured free food, multiple vendors and support from the community which promoted education for October’s national cause: domestic violence awareness. Attendees included North West Texas Aid, Family Support Services and a guest speaker. Interfusion Kung Fu provided a self-defense demonstration, and a Mary Kay consultant provided cosmetic consulting and mini-makeovers. The event also supported the national Mary Kay “Don’t Look Away” campaign. ACPD offers an open-door policy that allows students and staff to pitch education ideas for the campus that they feel are important. “If there’s a program or class or something you’re interested in, let us know,” Acker said. He said ACPD is willing to set up classes and events for ideas that benefit the AC community. Elijah Celestin, a mass media major, said he likes the fact that he can bring his ideas to the ACPD and do more for the AC community.“I want to be a part of something,” Celestin said. “Just helping out around here and being able to express my concerns to the ACPD allows me be more involved with Amarillo College,” he said. Dr. Stefanie Decker, an assistant professor of social sciences, said she was aware of some of the ACPD “I know if it’s dark and I need someone to walk me to my car, I can call and they’ll walk me to my car,” she said. Decker said she also was familiar with some of the training events ACPD hosted last semester.She said the “Active Shooter” training she received “was very useful.” Students can expect that similar events hosted by the ACPD will provide knowledge that assists them in various aspects of their lives. Other AC students were not familiar with all the services offered by ACPD.First-year student Shakiala Gentry, a nursing major, said she was not aware of most of the services offered. Gentry said the services seem interesting and helpful. “I would probably take advantage of all of it,” she said.Cynthia Rodriguez, an education development major, said some of the services are beneficial and well-received by the students. “I really don’t know how to change a tire,” so the ACPD being able to help with that “is awesome,” she said. The ACPD seeks to enrich the lives of all associated with the AC community, and the special services it offers are a direct reflection of dedication to its purpose. ACPD’s non-emergency number is 806-371-5163, and its emergency number is 806-371-5911.
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