Police Officers on duty 24/7

Department of Public Safety
A word from Ken Hilte, Chief of Police

Welcome to Pikes Peak Community College! Our Police Department has 15 sworn full-time law enforcement professionals, two civilian full-time employees, several work-study positions, as well as various part-time law enforcement professionals from surrounding law enforcement agencies to serve the Centennial, Rampart Range, Falcon and Downtown Studio Campuses. Our staff is dedicated to making your time at PPCC a safe and pleasant experience. 

Some of our services include responding to both in-progress as well as cold crimes, investigation of reported felonies and misdemeanor offenses, traffic accident investigation, safety escorts, managing after-hours access, and motorist assistance. We conduct both vehicle and foot patrol as well as provide physical security for all the campus buildings, to include the Centennial Campus, the Rampart Range Campus, the Falcon Campus, and the Downtown Studio Campus.

I invite you to partner with YOUR Campus Police Department. Report any suspicious activity you feel may warrant our attention. This includes any criminal activity on or near the campus, and particularly if you're a victim of a crime on campus. Reporting these incidents allows us to target our patrols to prevent further incidents and to prevent accidents in areas posing threats to safety. By becoming partners with, you can assist in making our campus community a safer place to be.

As Colorado State Certified police officers, we work in close cooperation with our neighboring law enforcement agencies to include the Colorado State Patrol, El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, Colorado Springs Police Department and others. We’re happy to assist in you in police matters with those agencies when appropriate. 

All of our police personnel are in direct radio communication with the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch. If, at any time, you have a need for assistance, you may approach any of us.  If they cannot help you, they will be able to contact someone who can.

If you have any comments or questions regarding the campus police department, please feel free to contact our office. 
Administration: (719) 502-2900 (M-F, 8-5) Dispatch: (719) 502-2911 (24/7)  

Police assistance can be obtained 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by calling our Dispatch Center at 
719. 502.2911.

Animals on Campus

 Animals are not allowed on campus, neither in the building nor left in your vehicle, except when needed for instruction or where needed by a disabled employee or student. Service animals or those used for instructional purposes must be on a leash and be under the direct and positive control of the owner. Violation can result in administrative and/or criminal penalties.

Children on Campus

18-6-401. Colorado Revised Statutes Child Abuse. 1(a) A person commits child abuse if such person causes an injury to a child's life or health, or permits a child to be unreasonably placed in a situation that poses a threat of injury to the child's life or health, or engages in a continued pattern of conduct that results in malnourishment, lack of proper medical care, cruel punishment, mistreatment, or an accumulation of injuries that ultimately results in the death of a child or serious bodily injury to a child. Leaving a child unattended in an automobile for any length of time is considered child neglect and abuse. Furthermore, “Leaving children unattended or unsupervised in campus buildings or on campus grounds can constitute child abuse or child neglect as outlined in the Colorado Protection Act of 1975.”

Sex Offender Information

Information concerning persons who are required by Colorado law to register as sex offenders, including registered sex offenders who are enrolled, employed, or volunteering at Pikes Peak Community College, may be obtained from the Colorado Springs Police Department, 705 South Nevada Avenue, Colorado Springs 80903(719) 444-7000, or the El Paso County Sheriff's Department, 210 South Tejon Avenue, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80903(719) 520-7100. Colorado Department of Public Safety, Convicted Sex Offender Site http://sor.state.co.us/. A printout of sex offenders who have registered at Pikes PeakCommunity College may be obtained from 8 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday, at the Centennial Public Safety Office in A-100.

Professional Conduct

The officers and staff of the campus Department of Public Safety are committed to being a caring, professional service agency. They are dedicated to the concepts of personal merit, steadfast integrity, continuous growth, creative teamwork and effective community policing service. All individuals of the PPCC community can expected to be treated courteously and professionally by members of the Department. The administrative staff will not tolerate an employee who acts unprofessionally or rudely or who does not provide an appropriate level of service. On the other hand, we would like to recognize instances where department members have been especially helpful or have exceeded your expectations in the service they have provided. Please provide feedback in order to improve our community service and to recognize outstanding performance by department members. Our Department has established a complaint and commendation form for this purpose. Please complete the Comlaint and Commendation Form available in the Public Safety Forms section of the website and forward it to one of the Corporals listed below. Upon receipt of a complaint or commendation, a corporal will review the complaint or commendation. Commendations will be refered to that officer’s immediate supervisor. Complaints will be reviewed to determine if it warrants an internal affairs investigation (for allegations of serious misconduct) or a member misconduct investigation (for allegations of non-serious misconduct). In either case, you will receive notification of receipt of your complaint and commendation form at the address you provided on the form. You will also be notified of the disposition of the investigation.

Corporal John Orndorff at 719.502.2900 or email:john.orndorff@ppcc.edu

Corporal Ryan Garrelts at 719.502.2900 or email:ryan.garrelts@ppcc.edu

Diversity Plan

Pikes Peak Community College Department of Public Safety, along with the rest of the college, is active in promoting the recognition of diversity in the college community and in the police department itself. To that end, the department has a Diversity Plan outlining various strategies and programs to be undertaken over the course of several years. The plan begins with the following statement:

Department Statement on Diversity

The Department of Public Safety recognizes that diversity, the differences between people, exists as a driving force in our interactions with people and institutions in the college community. We recognize, as well, that the people in our community predicate our authority, and ultimately, our institutional existence. In order to provide the highest quality of police service, we must be committed to the recognition and reflection of that diversity and incorporate the realities of diverse people into our strategic planning and our day to day operations. Moreover, the police department is committed to the belief that there is an intrinsic worth in all people, an irreducible quality whose protection and benefit is the basis for police service. We believe that the recognition of diversity is no less than the recognition of this worth. A commitment to honor the rights and provide for the needs, of all people equally, is our expression of this recognition.

Diversity Profile of the Police Department

The Campus Police Department has 15 full-time commissioned police officers. This group includes members of six ethnic minorities, and people with greatly diverse backgrounds. The age ranges from 27 to 68 years old. The years of service with the department range from less than 1 year to 13 years, but most of the department has prior law enforcement experience, some of which exceed 20 years. Our Department employs police officers from law enforcement agencies within the El PasoCounty and surrounding areas as part-time officers to help supplement our full-time staff. The Campus Police Department also includes two other full-time employees in administrative, police communications and support positions, whose profile's are equally diverse. The Police Department also employs about six students in various positions throughout the year, and these, of course, reflect the full range of student diversity on campus. The department is proud of the cosmopolitan nature of the organization and equally pleased with the wealth of experience and understanding such diversity brings to its mission.

Drug and Alcohol

In compliance with the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendment of 1989 (Public Law 101-226), students shall not engage in the unauthorized or unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, use/abuse of alcohol and/or illicit drugs on college property or as part of any college activity.

Any student who is convicted of the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, use, or abuse of illicit drugs or alcohol is subject to criminal penalties under local, state, or federal law. These penalties range in severity from a fine of $100 up to $8,000,000 and/or life imprisonment. The exact penalty assessed depends upon the nature and the severity of the individual offense.

The college will impose penalties against students who violate the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989 (Public Law 101-226). Violators will be subject to disciplinary action under student disciplinary policies. The sanctions include but are not limited to probation, suspension, or expulsion from the college and referral to authorities for prosecution, as appropriate.

For further information, contact the Human Resources Services Office or the Campus Life Office at the Centennial Campus.

The Law

Pikes Peak Community College is a state system community college governed by the State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education. Board Policy requires the college to comply with the Drug FreeSchools and Communities Amendments of 1989 (PL 101-226 in Federal law). A copy of this law is on file in the Human Resources Services and the Student Life Office for your reference. The college has adopted the following Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program:

Standard of Conduct

Students and employees shall not engage in the unauthorized or unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, use/abuse of alcohol and/or illicit drugs on college property or as a part of any college activity.

Legal Sanctions

There are legal sanctions for violations of the Standard of Conduct. Any student or employee who is convicted of the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, use or abuse of illicit drugs or alcohol is subject to criminal penalties under local, state, or federal law. These penalties range in severity from a fine of $100 up to $8,000,000 and/or life imprisonment. The exact penalty assessed depends upon the nature and severity of the individual offense.

College Penalties

The college will impose penalties against students and employees who violate the above Standard of Conduct. Violators will be subject to disciplinary action under employee and student disciplinary policies. The sanctions include, but are not limited to, probation, suspension or expulsion from the college or probation, suspension or termination of employment; and criminal charges brought by this department.

Health Risks

A myriad of health risks are associated with drug and alcohol abuse. Risks include but are not limited to: malnutrition, brain damage, heart disease, pancreatitis, cirrhosis of the liver, mental illness, death, low birthweight babies, and babies with drug addictions. Personal relationships, family dynamics, ability to work and study are also at risk. Further information on health risks is available in the Human Resource Services Office and the Campus Life Office via brochures, videos, and educational programs presented throughout the year.

Illegal Substances

A listing of controlled substances is on file for your reference in both the Human Resource Services Office and the Campus Life Office.

Referral Resources

Referral for counseling, treatment, rehabilitation, and re-entry programs is available through the college and throughout the community:

Human Resource Services Office - Room C-204, (719) 502-2600
El Paso County Health Dept., Drug & Alcohol treatment Clinic - (719) 578-3150
Pikes Peak Mental Health Center-Chemical Dependency (24 hr) - (719) 635-7000
Alcoholics Anonymous (24 hr.) - (719) 573-5020
Narcotics Anonymous - (719) 637-1580 or http://www.nacolorado.org/
Cocaine Anonymous Hotline - (719) 448-0110
National council on Alcohol and Drug Dependency- (800) 622-2255

The Partnership for a Drug Free America Website

Or consult the yellow pages of the local telephone book for a listing of all private and community based programs. Check listings under "Alcoholism Treatment" and "Drug Abuse Information and Treatment."

Employment Information

Career Postions

Career positions within the department include Police Administrator I, Police Officer III, Police Officer II, Police Officer I,  and Records/Administration personnel. We are part of the State of Colorado Personnel System. Applications may be obtained at any State Office of Labor and Employment ( Job ServiceCenter) or the Pikes Peak Community College Human Resources Office, C-204, 5675 South Academy Boulevard, Colorado Springs, CO 80906.719.5022600. You may apply for these positions at any Colorado location, and your application will automatically be considered at Pikes Peak Community College if you indicate this location. Police Officer candidates must be certified by the State of Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Board. 

Firearms on Campus

Board Policy states that no person may have on his or her person any unauthorized firearm, ammunition, explosive device, or illegal weapon on campus or any facility used by a college. Persons authorized to carry firearms and other equipment defined in the policy are those persons conducting and participating in an approved program of:   

• instruction in the college’s curriculum which requires access to such equipment as an integral part of the instructional program;
• peace officers; and
• those persons granted permission at the discretion of the college president for specific purposes from time to time.

It shall not be an offense if the weapon is unloaded and remains inside a motor vehicle while upon the real estate of any public or private college, university, or seminary.

Mission Statement

Vision

"Our history has been and our future is to be the State Leader in Community College Policing."

Mission Statement

Pikes Peak Community College Department of Public Safety is a full service law enforcement agency. All members of the department share as equal partners in our efforts to serve the college community and work cooperatively with others. Our mission – To build a first class, results-oriented culture by providing community-oriented solutions, communication, and services anywhere, anytime… bringing differentiated, cost-effective solutions to the college community quickly and with quality… through a diverse team of energetic employees… with the talent and skills necessary to sustain The Department of Public Safety at Pikes Peak Community College as the State Leader in College Law Enforcement. In this way, we will achieve our fundamental objective… of Total Community Satisfaction, and our consequent goals of Increased Campus Safety and Superior Professional Performance.

Page last updated on Wednesday July 8, 2009