Frequently Asked Questions

In performing their general course of duties each day, Delta officers often run into students, staff, teachers and general members of the public who have questions. These questions can range from general law enforcement questions, to questions specifically regarding Delta College. For your convenience, we have arranged the most commonly asked questions by topic.

General Information

Is the District Police Department P.O.S.T. (Peace Officer Standards and Training) certified?
Yes, the Delta College Police Department is P.O.S.T. certified. Delta College District Police Department gained P.O.S.T. certification on January 6, 1984, for adhering to the standards for the selection and training of peace officers as established by the laws of the State of California.

Where is the Police Station located?
The District Police Station is located in the Lourn Phelps Police Services Building. The Police Department is on the north side of the main campus, just north of the Shima 1 and 2 parking lots.

Are the Police Officers at Delta College really Stockton Police Officers?
No. San Joaquin Delta Community College is its own jurisdiction, just as the city of Stockton is a jurisdiction. All Police Officers that work at Delta College are employed as such by San Joaquin Delta College and are in no way affiliated with Stockton Police Department.

How large is the Police Department?
The Delta College District Police Department currently consists of 10 sworn Peace Officers, 3 Sergeants, 1 Chief of Police, 6 full-time Dispatchers, 4 full-time Campus Safety Officer II and 8 Student Service Officers.

Do SJDC officers have to contact Stockton Police Department when a crime occurs on campus?
No. Delta College Police Officers investigate all crimes that occur within the jurisdiction of the Delta College District, however, if a crime occurs that is beyond the scope of resources available to SJDC officers, they may contact other local police agencies for assistance. Delta College officers will assist ("fill") on calls with other local agencies if requested. Other agencies will offer assistance if requested by a Delta officer.

Parking Information

When do you issue parking citations? Is there a certain time when you do not cite?
Parking citations are issued for various reasons. The most prominent reason is for not having a permit displayed in your vehicle windshield. The District Police issue citations for permit violations beginning Monday at 6:00am and ending on Friday at 6:00pm. Between these times, permit violations are enforced 24 hours a day. In addition to permits, District Police also will site for general parking violations. General violations will be enforced 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Why are so many curbs on campus painted and what do the different colors signify?
On campus, you will find the following colored curbs: Red, Yellow, Green and Blue. Each of these colors have a specific meaning.

• Red Curbs: Are fire zones. No vehicle may stop, stand, or park in a red zone, whether the vehicle is attended, or unattended.
• Yellow Curbs: Are loading and unloading zones. The are designed for the loading and unloading of passengers or freight for the time specified by local ordinance. On campus, that time is 15 minutes.
• Green Curbs: Indicate time limit parking specified by local ordinance. You will notice green curbs in the metered parking areas on campus.
• Blue Curbs: Indicate parking exclusively for disabled persons. You will notice these spaces in almost every parking lot on campus. You must have a valid disabled persons placard to use these spaces.

Are there any free parking lots on campus?
Delta College does not offer any free parking areas. All staff, students and visitors are required to have a valid parking permit when parking at Delta College.

Where can I get a parking permit?
Semester parking permits are available for purchase online at : https://mycampuspermit.com/delta-college.html. Semester parking permits cost $30.00 for the Fall and Spring semesters and $20.00 for the Summer semester. Daily parking permits are available from dispensers located in each of the parking lots.  Daily parking permits may be purchased online as well. The cost of for a daily permit is $2.00.  Daily and Semester Permits must be displayed.

Crime Questions

Is there crime at Delta College?
Delta College is a small community within a large community. As with any community, Delta College has its share of crime. Delta College has had very few crimes of a serious or violent nature. It is important to not take this fact for granted, however. Always remember to use common sense and good judgment when walking about campus. Please read our Crime Prevention Page for information on how to avoid, detect and protect yourself from danger.

What is the best source for Crime Statistics at Delta College?
There are several places where you can see crime statistics of Delta College. They can be viewed on this website at our "Crime Statistics" page. They can also be found in the student handbook readily available throughout campus. You can also come to the Police Department and ask department personnel.

Where are crime alerts posted on campus?
Crime Alerts are posted on the District Police web page. In the event of a serious crime, the alert will be posted on the District Police web page, flyers will be distributed to classrooms and personnel from the Police Department will also give notification to instructors and students in such an incident. In addition to the means listed, there are bulletin boards located throughout campus that will hold information when necessary.

Traffic Questions

Can Delta College Police make traffic stops off of campus?
Yes. District Police Officers have the same authority as a city Police Officer and may make traffic stops whenever they see a violation occur, even if the violation occurs while the officer is off of campus. As a general rule, we do not deliberately go outside of our jurisdiction seeking to enforce traffic, as we are paid to protect Delta College, however, we do have the authority and will take such action when public safety dictates.

What do I do if I am stopped by a Police Officer in my car?
Traffic stops are one of the most dangerous actions a Police Officer encounters. The officer never knows exactly what they are approaching. When emergency lights are activated behind you, pull IMMEDIATELY to the right and come to a stop. Do not try to find a good area to stop. The officer will instruct you with their public address system if they wish you to continue to a safer area. Turn off your engine and place both of your hands on the steering wheel. DO NOT GET OUT OF THE CAR, unless the officer instructs you to do so. Provide all documents requested of you. The officer may, or may not cite you for the violation. If you do get cited, sign the ticket and continue on your way after the officer instructs you to leave.

Do I have to sign the ticket?
Yes. It is important to know that you are not admitting you committed the violation when you sign the ticket. You are simply signing a written "Promise to Appear" notice. If you refuse to sign the ticket, you may be arrested and transported to jail. If you wish to dispute the ticket, do not refuse to sign the ticket. Sign it and take the officer to Traffic Court. Let the judge hear your side of the story and make a ruling on the matter.

How can I appeal a traffic citation?
Within 21 days of receiving your traffic citation, you will receive paperwork from the court, advising you of the violations and associated fines. In that paperwork, you will find information on how to appeal the traffic ticket. If you decide to appeal the citation, you will be required to appear in court at a later date for a traffic hearing. At this time, the issuing officer will inform the court as to why the citation was issued. You will then have the opportunity to make a statement and directly ask the officer questions regarding the citation, or the circumstances that led to the citation. The judge will then make a ruling based on the evidence presented.

Reporting Questions

Can I report a crime on-line?
With the launch of this website, District Police implemented its very first on-line crime report form. This form is called the Anonymous Tips Page. It gives people the chance to report a crime that they have heard will occur, or one they have seen occur in a condition of anonymity.

What happens if someone reports a crime incorrectly? Will they be punished, or suffer liability?
The most important thing to remember when reporting a crime is to be as factual as possible. If a person erroneously reports a crime, which they truly believed was about to occur, or had occurred, they have not committed a crime. On the other hand, if a person knowingly files a false report, they have committed a misdemeanor per section 148.3(a) of the Penal Code. If a false report is knowingly filed and injury is suffered as a result, that person who reported the incident has committed a felony per section 148.3(b) of the Penal Code.

How does a report get handled by District Police?
Once a person contacts District Police to file a report, an officer will be dispatched to meet with that person. The officer will take all necessary information, get a case number issued, then write out a Police report and conduct an investigation.

When reporting a crime, do I have to give my name?
Reporting a crime is the most important part of crime prevention. Although it is not required that you give your name when reporting, it does assist the dispatcher in determining the validity of the call. It also helps the officer contact you and gain needed information, should follow-up be needed.

Blue Phone Questions

What are the blue phones that I see on campus?
The blue phones are telephones that are linked directly to the Police dispatch center. If you ever need assistance, just open the door and pick up the receiver. You do not need to dial anything. It will automatically ring to the dispatcher.

Are the blue phones for emergency use only?
No. Although the Blue phones are in place primarily for emergency use, we do encourage you to use them if you are in need of information. If you are lost, need an escort or have a question, pick up the blue phone and the dispatcher will assist you.

Where are the blue phones located?
Blue phones are located on every floor of every building on campus. Generally, the phones are next to the elevators, or within sight of the elevators. There are also several blue phones located along the pathways to some of the parking lots.

Will I get into trouble if I do a prank call from a blue phone?
Yes. The blue phones on campus are very similar to the local 9-1-1 systems that you dial from your homes when you have an emergency. Every time a blue phone rings into the dispatch center, the dispatcher is prepared to handle an "emergency call". To assist the officers in emergency response, dispatch is able to immediately recognize exactly which blue phone is being accessed. Officers respond to all blue phone calls, whether they are actual calls, or pranks. If you make a prank call on the blue phones and are caught, be prepared to be talking with a Police Officer. It is illegal.