RVC Police Department
Located: Support Services Building (SSB), Room 1100
Hours: 365 days a year, emergency response 24/7
Phone No.:
Non-Emergency, College Issue.......(815) 921-4357
Non-Emergency, Police Issue.........(815) 921-2900
Emergency......................................9-1-1
Website: RVC Campus Police
The Rock Valley College Police Department (RVCPD) has the responsibility to contribute to a safe learning environment in which to work and pursue educational objectives.
Authority
The RVCPD is authorized by 110 ILCS 805/3-42.1. All Rock Valley College Police Officers have the same authority as city police and county sheriffs, including the power to arrest on sight. RVCPD enforces all the laws of the state of Illinois and regulations of the college.
Identification
Every RVCPD officer is issued a badge and carries a photo identification card.
Services
RVCPD provides many services to the RVC community including, but not limited to, the following:
• Police Patrol
• Criminal and Traffic Law Enforcement
• Criminal and Non-Criminal Investigations
• Emergency First Aid Response
• Parking Enforcement
• Traffic Control
• Special Event Security
• Fire and Safety Inspections
• Community Services - including Crime Prevention Education, Personal Safety Presentations
• Public Assistance - including Vehicle Assistance and Building Access
• Safe Walk Program
Emergency Call Boxes and Emergency Telephones
Emergency Call Boxes and Emergency Telephones are located around campuses, walkways, and in buildings, including the RVC Main Campus, Bell School Road Center (BELL), Advanced Technology Center (ATC), and the Aviation Career Education Center (ACEC). In the event of an emergency, using these boxes and telephones will put you in touch with trained personnel. There are call boxes located throughout.
Safe Walk Program
The Safe Walk Program is provided to any individual on campus that, for reasons of personal security, would like an officer to walk with them to and from their vehicles or between buildings. This service is available to all students, staff, faculty, and visitors to campus. Call (815) 921-4357 to request a police officer’s assistance. Please note: officers are unable to provide rides from one location to another.
Campus Parking
Parking permits are required in designated areas and gated lots. Parking permits are available only to Rock Valley College staff and faculty. Parking in these areas without a permit may result in a fine.
All other parking areas on campus are “open parking” areas, unless otherwise marked. All of the roadways are considered to be fire lanes, and parking is prohibited. No parking is allowed on the campus sidewalks or along the side of any campus road. All vehicles must be parked in designated parking areas and vehicles must be within the painted parking lines. You are responsible for observing appropriate parking regulations. Violations may result in a fine.
Overnight parking is not permitted. Vehicles left overnight, without special permission from the Rock Valley College Police Department, are subject to a fine and possible tow.
Parking Violations
Anyone parking on campus must observe RVC parking regulations and obey all signage. If you receive a parking ticket, you may pay your fine at our Accounts Receivable Department located in the Stenstrom Student Center. If you wish to dispute your ticket, you have the right to appeal within 90 days from the date on the ticket.You can access the appeal form here.
Handicapped Parking
If you need temporary handicapped parking on campus, visit the Disability Services department located in the Stenstrom Student Center (ground floor) to begin the process of receiving a temporary permit. Temporary permits must be submitted with a doctor’s authorization and cannot exceed 90 days. Temporary permits are valid only on RVC campuses.
Anyone parking in a handicapped parking spot without proper plates or displaying a placard is subject to fines up to $250.00. The use of a placard or plates when the authorized user is not present and entering or exiting the vehicle is illegal and subject to fines up to $600.00. Illegal use may also result in revocation of the placard or plate and possible loss of driving privileges.
Campus Speed Limits
To ensure safety, 20 mph speed limit signs are posted and enforce by RVCPD throughout ALL campus roadways. The speed limit in ALL campus parking lots is 10 mph. Violators are subject to receipt of a state citation with a fine indicated by Illinois state law.
Smoking on Campus
Smoking is prohibited on campus. Violators are subject to a fine indicated by Illinois state law.
Sever Weather
RVC has established a liaison with the Winnebago County Emergency Services and Disaster Agency to be placed in the emergency warning network. Established Building Emergency Action Plan (BEAP) has been given to BEAP assigned staff and faculty members to share, and during severe weather warnings, should follow their instructions and the instructions of the RVCPD. The ground floor, interior classrooms, stairwells, and restrooms will give you the best protection. Avoid corridors, windows, and roofs with long spans. Designated Severe Weather Areas are marked with signs.
Crime Stoppers
The Rockford Crime Stoppers program can be contacted at (815) 963-7867 to provide information on a crime. You do not have to leave your name to provide information on a crime. If the crime is an ongoing emergency, call 9-1-1.
Campus Sex Crime Prevention Act
This law requires the tracking of registered sex offenders enrolled at or employed by institutions of higher education. This is in conjunction with the federal law enacted on October 28, 2000.
The act amends the Jacob Wetterling Crimes Against Children Act and Sexually Violent Offender Registration Act to require sex offenders already required to register in a state to provide notice, as required under state law, of each institution of higher education in that state at which the person is employed, carries on a vocation, or is a student. Sex offenders who fail to register their status as a student or employee at an institution of higher education are in violation of the registration act and face arrest.
This act also amends the Jeanne Clery Act to require institutions of higher education to issue a statement, in addition to other disclosures required under that act, advising the campus community where law enforcement agency information provided by a state concerning registered sex offenders may be obtained.
The Illinois State Police provides a listing of sex offenders required to register in the state of Illinois. The database is updated daily and can be found at the following website: ISP.Illinois.Gov/sor.
Lastly, the act amends the Family Educational Rights and privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) to clarify that nothing in the act may be construed to prohibit an educational institution from disclosing information provided to the institution concerning registered sex offenders; and requires the Secretary of Education to take the appropriate steps to notify educational institutions that disclosure of this information is permitted.
Registered Sex Offenders at RVC
The Rock Valley College Police Department also maintains a “Sex Offender List” which documents all known Sex Offenders who are students and/or employees at Rock Valley College. This Sex Offender List is available for viewing at: the Rock Valley College Police Department in the Support Services Building (SSB), the Stenstrom Student Center Information Desk, and at the main office at our RVC Downtown location. The Registered Sex Offender process is managed by the RVC Police Department and the Dean of Students Office. This mandate applies to all RVC courses including General Education Development (GED) (formerly High School Equivalency/HSE), English as a Second Language (ESL), Adult Basic Education (ABE), and Community/Continuing Education (CCE). This also applies to students registered as part-time (less than 12 credit hours) and enrolled students of collaborative and partnership programs.
Registered Sex Offender - RVC Police Department Requirements
The sex offender must register with Rockford Police Department (RPD) and the Rock Valley College Police Department (RVCPD). You are required to meet once per year with RVCPD unless your student status changes (full-time to part-time, no longer a student, re-enrolling after dropping out, etc.).
If your status changes, you must inform RVCPD and re-register with both RPD and RVCPD. In addition, if you add, drop, or withdraw from courses anytime, you must contact RVCPD by calling (815) 921-4357.
Finally, you must complete sex offender registration paperwork with the Rock Valley College Police Department within three (3) days of enrollment.
Registered Sex Offender - Dean of Students Office Expectations
In addition, all students who are Registered Sex Offenders enrolled in RVC courses(s) are to meet with the Dean of Students, or their designee, each semester. You must meet prior to the beginning of each semester enrolled, complete and comply with the Expectation Sheet, and inform the Dean of Students Office of any change in schedule or enrollment status.
After you have met with the RVCPD, call the Dean of Students Office at (815) 921-4281 to schedule an appointment. Finally, all students are to be treated fairly and without discrimination. If you believe you are being subject to unfair treatment or experiencing harassment based on your status, please contact the Dean of Students Office.
Annual Security Report
This report includes statistics for the previous three (3) years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Rock Valley College; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security, such as alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters.
The complete report is available at: RVC Public Safety. You may also request a paper copy of this report by contacting the RVCPD at (815) 921-4357 or visiting us in the Support Services Building (SSB) on Main Campus.