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STUDENT SERVICES

Learn more about our services, in-person hours and other resources.


Various Public Safety officers standing in front of patrol car

It is the goal of AACC Public Safety and Police to do everything possible to create an environment where people can feel safe to learn, work and visit. We believe that one way to help create such an environment is to fully inform the campus population about issues, campus policies regarding safety and security, and the services that your campus Public Safety and Police department provides. 

The Department of Public Safety and Police prepares the Annual Security Report and distributes the report in accordance with the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. Paper copies are available at the DPSP office in Arnold. The report is also available online.

Learn about campus safety.


Public Safety News

The Department of Public Safety and Police provides the following news and information items to keep the campus community informed of public safety programs, events, community relations activities and other points of interest.

AACC Public Safety and Police going for fourth reaccreditation with IACLEA

The AACC Department of Public Safety and Police is applying for its fourth reaccreditation with the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA), the leading authority for campus public safety. This will be the first accreditation evaluation under the department's new accreditation manager, Sgt. Stephen Shepet. The accreditation evaluation will be conducted by IACLEA trained assessors and is currently being scheduled for October 2023. Stay tuned for more details, including how the campus community can participate.

AACC Public Safety and Police earns third reaccreditation!

The International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA), the leading authority for campus public safety, gave a unanimous recommendation to reaccredit the AACC Department of Public Safety and Police. In October 2019, the IACLEA assessment team, composed of experienced campus law enforcement professionals from out of state, performed an on-site assessment. They examined all aspects of the department’s policies and procedures, management, operation and support services, along with requesting public comments. The report stated "Assessors found the Anne Arundel Community College Police Department to be a dedicated team of campus law enforcement and public safety professionals. It was clear the safety and security of students, faculty and staff is at the forefront of their mission." This was a voluntary process. The department received initial accreditation in 2008, then reaccreditation in 2011 and 2014. 


Public Safety and Police Staff

AACC’s police officers are empowered by state law to make arrests, investigate crimes and carry firearms. The college's special police personnel are commissioned by Maryland's governor as special police officers and have full authority to make arrests, conduct investigations and otherwise enforce the law on all property owned or operated by the college.

Officers are formally trained and patrol the college responding to calls for service to include crimes and emergencies. They are certified in basic first aid, CPR and AED. Officers work closely with the Anne Arundel County Fire Department to promote personal safety.

The officers have primary responsibility for campus security and safety. Officers patrol the campus by motor vehicle and bicycle, as well as on foot. The officers have legal authority under Maryland law to demand identification and evidence of qualification from any person who desires to use or enter the college property. They may deny access to buildings and grounds to persons who trespass, disrupt or disturb the normal educational functions of the institution.

The Department of Public Safety and Police has a good working relationship with the Anne Arundel County Police Department and has a Memorandum of Understanding with them for the investigation of alleged criminal offenses occurring on college property. The college encourages accurate and prompt reporting of all crimes to the Department of Public Safety and Police at 410-777-1818.

Below you can find out more about members of our public safety and police command staff.

Chief of Police/Director of Public Safety

Sean Kapfhammer joined the college on June 1, 2016. He began his law enforcement career with the Baltimore Police Department in 1990. While there, he served in a leadership position overseeing operational, investigative, administrative and tactical assignments.

During his 21-year career, Kapfhammer served as a commander of the Southwest District Operations Section, the Westside Special Enforcement Team and the Southern District Major Crimes section. He received numerous awards and citations, including the Medal of Honor and the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Heroes Award.

After retiring, Kapfhammer was appointed chief of police position of the Carroll Township Police Department in York County, Pa.

Prior to coming to AACC, Kapfhammer was deputy director of Public Safety for the campus police at Loyola University Maryland.

Kapfhammer is a graduate of Johns Hopkins University, where he received his bachelor's and master’s degrees in management. He also graduated from numerous leadership schools including Northwestern University, Penn State, Southern Police Institute and FBI-LEEDA.

He is a certified local emergency management coordinator and has completed the requirements for his basic, advanced and professional certifications in that field from the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency.

Captain/Patrol Operations Commander

Dave Pressley joined the college on Dec. 01, 2014. He began his law enforcement career with the Anne Arundel County Police Department in 1980. While there he served in a number of positions before becoming a deputy chief. During his 32 years with the department, he worked in the functional areas of patrol operations, district detectives, intelligence and narcotics investigations. He served as a commander of the Special Operations section, Training Academy, Eastern District, Criminal Investigations Division and the Field Operations Bureau. Pressley also worked for the Maryland Judiciary prior to joining AACC.

Pressley is a graduate of the University of Maryland, University College, and Prince George's Community College. He holds a bachelor’s degree in management studies and Associate of Arts in law enforcement. He has received specialized police management and leadership training from the Maryland Police and Corrections Training Commission and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Lieutenant/Shift Commander

Gary Vernon joined the college on July 1, 2011. He began his law enforcement career on Dec. 31, 1979, with the Harford County Sheriff’s Department. While there he filled a number of positions within the agency before retiring as a captain.

During his 30-year tenure with the sheriff’s department, he worked in the functional areas of corrections, patrol, criminal investigations, special operations, court services and administrative services.

Vernon is a graduate of the University of Baltimore and the University of Phoenix. He holds a master’s degree in organizational management and bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.

Lieutenant/Shift Commander

Joseph Donato joined the college on June 16, 2017.  He began his law enforcement career with the Baltimore Police Department. During his 23-year tenure in Baltimore he served in uniformed patrol, operations units including Flex and Drug Enforcement, as a robbery detective, and was promoted to sergeant in 2008.

Donato graduated from Calvert Hall High School with honors, obtained his Associate of Arts degree in criminal justice from Essex Community College, then a Bachelor of Arts in history at UMBC.   

He has 14 commendations from his time with the Baltimore Police Department, including two Silver Stars, two Bronze Stars for Valor, two Departmental Commendations, two Unit Citations, the Gun Award and numerous others, including a Federal Disarm Award.   

Sergeant/Shift Commander

Keith Cochran joined the college on July 16, 2012, as a public safety officer. In 2022, after working nine years in patrol, he was promoted to sergeant and assigned as the Midnight Shift Commander. Cochran is a certified bike patrol officer and field training officer, and a member of the department's Color Guard unit.

Cochran received an Associate of Applied Science in law enforcement and criminal justice degree from Anne Arundel Community College. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts from Salisbury College.

In 2016, Cochran received the Public Safety Officer of the Year award from the North Anne Arundel Chamber of Commerce. He also received the department's Distinguished Service Award in 2020, Commendation Award in 2017, Outstanding Service Award in 2015 and 2013, and the AACC Student Government Association's Outstanding Service Award in 2018. Additionally, Cochran earned the Department's Community Service Award in 2020 and the Perfect Attendance Award each year since 2020.

Sergeant/Administrative Services Manager

Stephen Shepet joined the college on Dec. 16, 1997. He began his career in public safety as an AACC public safety officer. In 2004, after seven years in patrol, he was promoted to corporal and became the midnight shift commander. In 2013, he was promoted to sergeant and continued to lead the midnight shift for another nine years. In 2022, after serving 24 years in patrol, Shepet was assigned to be the department's Administrative Services manager. In this new position, he takes on the roles of the accreditation manager, the training coordinator, the property custodian and the technology officer.

Shepet received an Associate of Applied Science in law enforcement and criminal justice, an Associate of Applied Science in business management, an Associate of Arts in general studies and certificates in business management and criminal justice from Anne Arundel Community College. Additionally, he holds a Bachelor of Science degree in liberal arts from Excelsior College.

In 2014, Shepet received the Public Safety Officer of the Year award from the North Anne Arundel Chamber of Commerce. He also received the department's Commendation Award in 2017, the Distinguished Service Award in 2015 and 2017, and the Director's Award of Excellence, the Community Service Award and the department's Outstanding Service Award. More recently, he was awarded The League of Innovation for Community College Excellence in Leadership Award in 2020.


Traffic and Parking Citation Appeal Requests

If you would like to appeal a traffic or parking citation you received, you must complete an online appeal. Appeal requests must be submitted within 14 calendar days of the violation. All traffic and parking citation appeals can be submitted to the Traffic/Parking Citation Appeal Form.

For information visit AACC's Traffic and Parking Regulations.


Accreditation

IACLEA Campus Public Safety Accreditation badge.

On Sept. 26, 2008, the Anne Arundel Community College Department of Public Safety received its initial accreditation from the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA), becoming the first community college in the country to do so.

The achievement of accreditation for the department has resulted in improvements in structure, leadership, organization, general direction and accountability. The process of intensive self-assessment has united the department in its commitment to serve the college community through well-written policies and procedures, objective management and conscious recognition of the need for public safety professionalism.

In October 2019, after a lengthy process, the college's Department of Public Safety and Police successfully attained its third reaccreditation.

For information contact Sgt. Stephen Shepet, AACC DPSP accreditation manager.

Emergency

Public Safety and Police
410-777-1818

From campus phone
1818

Local police
911

Questions?

We're here to help.

Department of Public Safety and Police

Public Safety and Police

410-777-2440

Send Email

Annual Security Report

Annual Community Policing Activities Report

Ask In Person

Department of Public Safety and Police
Central Services Building
101 College Parkway
Arnold, MD 21012
410-777-2440 Office
410-777-2544 Fax
410-777-1329 TTY
443-336-3144 Text

OFFICE HOURS

Everyday
7 a.m.-11 p.m.

Officers are available 24/7 by calling the main number.

Officers may be found during normal operating hours at the main information desks at the Arundel Mills and Glen Burnie Town Center campuses.

Submit a Commendation or Complaint

It is the policy of this department to provide a thorough, fair and expeditious disposition of complaints about the conduct of its employees. Further, it is the policy to invite individuals to bring to the department’s attention complaints about its employees whenever that person feels the employee acted improperly. 

Submit a complaint or commend a campus officer, using the link below:

Commend/Complain