| Urgent: 617-495-1212 (Longwood 617-432-1212)
| Business: 617-495-1215 |
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Overview
The Harvard University Police Department (HUPD) is responsible for the safety and
security of more than 19,000 students, 14,000 faculty and staff members, and 500
buildings in an open and accessible environment. The HUPD is a full-service police
department (comprising a Patrol Division, Criminal Investigation Division, and
Dignitary Protection Unit) that includes police officers, detectives, civilian
communication dispatchers, and support and administrative personnel. The police
officers are sworn special State Police officers with deputy sheriff powers.
Some core functions of the Department are: responding to criminal incidents; checking on the
well-being of students, faculty, and staff; responding to disturbances; providing escorts;
taking reports of lost and stolen property; responding to lockouts; investigating suspicious
activity; responding to alarms; and investigating trespassers or unwanted guests. In addition
to these activities, officers present safety and security information at community meetings,
make presentations at student and new employee orientations, teach self-defense classes, register
laptops and bicycles, and initiate informal contact with students, faculty, and staff while
patrolling on foot, bicycles, and motorcycles, and while eating in the dining halls. HUPD officers
are approachable and committed to keeping the Harvard community safe and secure.
HUPD Responsibilities to the Community
- To protect life and safeguard property
- To create a safe and secure environment for the entire Harvard University community
- To prevent crime, control criminal behavior, maintain order, and reduce fear of crime
- To accomplish all police objectives legally and constitutionally, guided by HUPD values and mindful at all times of the rights of individuals and the interests of the community
- To create partnerships with Harvard and community groups, service agencies, institutions, and other criminal justice agencies
- To identify and solve problems
- To listen to community concerns
- To establish and support crime prevention programs
- To respond to calls for service
- To investigate crimes
- To apprehend those who commit crimes
- To help to convict persons charged with crimes
Investigations
HUPD officers investigate complaints filed by community members and pursue
investigations to their most reasonable conclusion. Detectives from the Criminal
Investigation Division may conduct follow-up investigations, with support when
necessary from a number of law enforcement partners, including the Massachusetts
State Police, Boston Police, Cambridge Police, Somerville Police, federal agencies,
District Attorneys' offices, and victim-witness programs. The interest
of the victim is always the primary concern. The HUPD recognizes the importance
of confidentiality and of protecting the identity of the victim in the course
of an investigation. In criminal matters, the victim's preferences greatly
influence the way in which a case is processed.
The University has a number of alternatives at its disposal to adjudicate inappropriate
behavior, whether or not it is of a criminal nature. In addition to pursuing
cases through the courts, the University uses an internal judicial structure
to decide on specific issues unique to University life. Furthermore, cooperation
between the University and other law enforcement agencies can result in a student's
receiving disciplinary action for off-campus behavior.
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