"Your Safety and Security is Our Top Priority."
The Lawson State Community College Police Department is comprised of sworn officers recognized by the State of Alabama. The Department is a law enforcement agency oriented to serve the needs of our campus community. The mission of the Department is to keep the campus environment safe and secure to facilitate teaching, learning, and community outreach. We strive to create a safe and secure environment by dedicating ourselves to raising the level of preparedness to meet the needs of today, and the challenges of tomorrow. The Department strives to develop and maintain a positive relationship with all segments of the campus community in order to obtain their cooperation and support in providing successful law enforcement services and implementing beneficial community policing programs. We accomplish our mission by providing proactive service and encouraging community awareness in support of the College's overall mission.
Emergency Contact Number:
Birmingham Campus: 205-925-3587
Bessemer Campus: 205-426-3654
Call 911 if you feel you are in immediate danger.
Chief of Police, James Blanton
Click here for Cougar Alert
Cougar Alert is Lawson State's emergency alert system. All students, staff and faculty should register. Cougar Alert is designed to send emergency notification to the Lawson State community. This include school closing alerts and campus emergencies. You do not have to call the school about school closing; we will always contact you via Cougar Alert.
Click here to report an Incident or concern involving you or others that occurred on campus.This includes harasmment (Title IX), threats, violence, etc.
For students: Use this site to submit general concerns or complaints; grade challenges; appeals
(to decisions rendered); harassment claims and other incidents.
For Faculty and/or Staff: Use this site to submit general concerns or complaints; behavior violations; academic
dishonesty claims; harassment claims and other incidents.
It is the College's policy to take all reported incidents seriously and work hard
to provide fair and equitable resolutions. In order to file an official complaint,
concern or incident, it must be in writing and recorded. This site is available 24/7.
Response times vary based on information provided. Thus, please give the college ample
time to respond; typically this can range from 24 to 72 hours. Responses will be sent
via email.
This Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) is designed to protect lives and preserve property by working to prevent or lessen the negative impacts of emergencies or disasters. This plan has been developed as a comprehensive, all-hazards plan to aide in planning, preparing, responding to and recovering from natural, man-made and technological disasters.
Classroom Laboratories Emergency Procedures
Emergency Evacuations Procedures with Persons with Disabilities
Chemical Fire and Electrical Incidents
Knowledge is Power: Run, Hide, Fight: Learn the Threats and How to React and Respond to an Active Shooting Incident.
Available Materials Provided by Department of Homeland Security
Active Shooter Training Videos:
From the FBI, Surviving an Active Shooter: Click Here
Lawson State Community College Employees are required to review the above video and take the following quiz.
Lawson State Community College Lock Down Quiz
It is the policy of Lawson State Community College that all students and employees shall wear their ID badges while on the premises of Lawson State Community College and display issued (and current) parking decals on all vehicles parked on campus . It is also the policy of the Lawson State that student may be requested to show ID in key areas of the college, including library access. Initial ID's are free of charge to students. Replacement fees are $25.
Click here to view Lawson State's parking policy. Please follow all parking rules and regulations to avoid getting tiketed on campus.
How to Secure a Parking Decal and ID: On either campus, visit the Cashier Office to secure a Parking Pass and ID. Only registered students can obtain both.
Birmingham Campus: Cashier's station is located in the Academic Success Center, 1st floor
Bessemer Campus: Cashier's station is located in Student Services Building (Building "A"), main level of building pass the Financial Aid Office.
Annual Campus and Security Report 2023
The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act is a federal statute. The act requires all colleges and universities that participate in federal aid programs to keep and disclose information about crime on and near their respective campuses. Compliance is monitored by the United States Department of Education which can impose civil penalties against institutions for each infraction and can suspend institutions from participating in federal student financial aid programs. For a complete copy of the report and to review additional information regarding campus security, contact Safety and Security Office at 205-426-3654 (Bessemer Campus) or 205-925-3587 (Birmingham Campus).
Domestic Violence Services and Programs
The YWCA operates two confidentially located shelters for women and children fleeing
abusive homes. Counselors help these women make safety plans, obtain jobs or job training
and work toward independence and self-sufficiency. The shelters serve Blount, Jefferson
and St. Clair counties.
Call the YWCA 24 hour Crisis Line at 205-322-4878 or 1-800-650-6522
http://www.ywcabham.org/
In order to retain the proper decorum for the delivery of college-level instruction
in the classroom, students enrolled at Lawson State Community College are not permitted
(except under the circumstances stated herein as an exception to the general policy)
to bring children into College classrooms, labs, or shops, regardless of the age of
the child. Nor should students leave unattended children in any building or on any
grounds of the College at any time. An exception to this policy can be made with the
approval of the respective instructor if the child of a Lawson State Community College
student is a high school senior, or at least 18 years of age, and is a prospective
student at Lawson State Community College. In such a case, the student may be allowed
to bring the child to no more than one session of each course that the student is
taking.
In addition, in the interest of the safety, unless a person under the age of 18 (who
is not a student of Lawson State Community College or another participating college)
is a participant in a Lawson State Community College sponsored activity, an adult
must supervise or accompany the child at times that the child is on any campus of
Lawson State Community College. Furthermore, it is not permissible for any person
to leave a child in custodial care on any premises of Lawson State Community College
while attending classes or extracurricular activities. It is recommended that Lawson
State Community College students and visitors leave their children in the care of
an appropriate childcare provider while attending any class, function, or other College
activity that may prevent their personal supervision of their children.
This policy applies to all students, guests, and visitors of Lawson State Community
College and shall be published in all student handbooks and posted in appropriate
locations throughout the campuses of Lawson State Community College. Lawson State
Community College will not be liable for any injury, or property loss or damage, suffered
by any party as a result of a violation of this policy.
Click here to access the Code of Conduct
Lawson State Community College recognizes that enrolled students are both citizens and members of the academic community. Upon enrolling in the college, all students assume an obligation to conduct themselves in a manner compatible with the college's function as an educational institution both as ground (traditional) and online students. Upon enrollment, students also fall under the Lawson State Community College's Code of Conduct and all sanctions imposed. It is expected that students are enrolled for serious educational pursuits and that they will conduct themselves so as to assume the responsibilities of citizenship in the academic community. The Student Code of Conduct (extracted from the Student Handbook) is relative to conduct on college property and at all college-sponsored activities held off campus as well as your online activities (related to Lawson State and its students). Failure to comply with the Code of Conduct (which governs both discipline issues and academic integrity issues) can lead to sanctions issued and possibly probation or suspension levied against a student. Students at Lawson State are entitled to due process, if a sanction is imposed.
Defibrillator Locations on the Campuses of Lawson State
Lawson State Community College has 15 life-saving defibrillator spread throughout both campuses. In addition, police officers are trained in defibrillator life-saving techniques.
What is a Defibrillator:
Defibrillation is a treatment for life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias, specifically ventricular fibrillation and non-perfusing ventricular tachycardia. A defibrillator delivers a dose of electric current to the heart. This depolarizes a large amount of the heart muscle, ending the dysrhythmia. Subsequently, the body's natural pacemaker in the sinoatrial node of the heart is able to re-establish normal sinus rhythm.
Watch the Video Below on How to Use a Defibrillator. This video does not replace the value of actual training, and it is only being provided for educational purposes only.
Birmingham Campus:
Police Vehicles (2)
Cafeteria--Leon Kennedy Building (1)
ACATT (lobby)-(1)
Gym (Lobby)-(1)
Building C (next to fire extinguisher)-(1)
Dorm (East Campus)-(1)
AG Gaston Building- (1)
Bessemer Campus:
Admissions (lobby)--A Building (1)
Cafeteria (1)
Ethel Hall (lobby)-(1)
Police Vehicles (2)
Millsap Building (1)
Police Office (1)
Always call 911 before administering CPR. See educational video below. This video does not replace actual CPR training which all adults should consider taking. Rather, this video is being provided to general educational purposes only.
See video below.
