Campus police have made four arrests on the De Anza College campus in spring quarter, three of which were drug-related. Three additional arrests were also made on Foothill’s campus, according to the Foothill-De Anza Community College District Police.

Despite the legalization of marijuana in the State of California after the passing of Proposition 64 in 2016, students are still being arrested or cited for possession or use of the drug on campus.

“Marijuana is still illegal under federal statutes,” Foothill-De Anza Chief of Police Ronald Levine said. “Our colleges receive federal funding and the anti-drug laws are very clear that illegal drugs are not allowed on campus.”

District police is a small department, employing 14 full-time officers and six part-time officers. Campus police officers are recognized under the California Penal Code Section 830.32 as “peace officers whose authority extends to any place in the state for the purpose of performing their primary duty or when making an arrest pursuant to Section 836 as to any public offense with respect to which there is immediate danger to person or property, or of the escape of the perpetrator of that offense.”

“In the 14 years I’ve been with the District, there has never been a sustained allegation of excessive use of force,” Levine said.

District police made one arrest for stalking, obstructing a police officer and violation of probation; the other three arrests were for possession of marijuana for sale; possession of drugs for sale and delay/resist arrest; and under the influence of drugs and violation of probation. The possession of drugs arrest was made on May 3 when a male student was found unresponsive in the L Quad; four officers and a supervisor from District police responded and searched the student, finding drug contraband in his backpack.

In a fifth incident, a woman was taken into protective custody outside the cafeteria for a psychiatric evaluation after she began to yell at officers that she was an “undercover police officer.” However, Chief Levine indicated she was not arrested.

If stopped by a police officer in your car, Levine recommended to stay in your car and turn on the interior light, to “assist good communication,” then placing your hands on the steering wheel and wait for the officer to request your license, registration, and insurance information.

“A college campus is a reflection of the community it serves,” Levine said. “While we all strive for a safe campus environment, there are individuals who choose to commit crimes on the grounds of our institutions of higher learning. The responsibility to investigate those crimes falls on law enforcement.”