HUPD Dashboard

The Harvard University Police Department has created a Dashboard to display specific performance indicators for the Department

The Dashboard offers timely information and serves to improve communication, information-sharing, and transparency.

For additional information about the HUPD, how to report a crime, crime prevention programs, emergency notifications, and other important information about security and HUPD’s services on campus, please review the Department’s Annual Security Report.

Questions?

If you have any questions surrounding the Dashboard, please email hupddashboard@hupd.harvard.edu.

Calls for Service - A "Call for Service" is a documented record in the Department’s Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) System where an officer is dispatched to or self-initiates a response to a situation. Calls for Service (CFS) can be initiated by the community, by an officer, or in response to an alarm, and are addressed either in the field or over the phone. These incidents do not include calls transferred to another public safety agency, Harvard Department, or other entity more suited to deal with an issue. Not all calls for service result in an incident report being written.
Incident Report - An “Incident Report” is a formal document that details the circumstances, timeline, persons, property, and facts of an event surrounding a call for service. Not all calls for service require an incident report being written. The requirement is based on both Department policy and the severity of the incident. All allegations of criminal behavior are documented in reports as well as any incident resulting in an arrest or criminal complaints being sought against an individual.
Arrests and Criminal Complaint - An arrest is the power and authority of a police officer to apprehend and deprive persons of their liberty, as provided by law, in order that such persons may be brought before the court to answer to criminal charges. An HUPD officer may make an arrest with a warrant, without a warrant (if the officer has probable cause to believe the person has committed or is in the process of committing a felony), or for a misdemeanor offense committed in the officer’s presence. In instances where an arrest is not made at the scene, an officer may seek a criminal complaint at a later date from a district court via a written application outlining the act(s) that constitutes the crime(s). A person can be arrested or charged for multiple offenses during an incident. To learn about the statutory authority of HUPD officers, please review the HUPD’s webpage.
Field Stop - A “field stop,” also known as a “Terry stop”, occurs when an officer briefly detains an individual based on their reasonable articulable suspicion that the individual is engaging in, or about to engage in, criminal behavior. Officers conduct field stops in response to a variety of situations, including, but not limited to: commission of a crime; a person matching the description of a wanted suspect, trespassing or unauthorized access to an area; reckless operation of a motor vehicle; use of an illicit substance; disobeying facility rules; or prior disruptive or disorderly behavior. During the course of the field stop, the officer requests identification from the individual stopped and may make an inquiry via the state and the FBI to determine if the individual has an active warrant for their arrest. The data reported in the HUPD Data Dashboard represents all field stops (both officer-initiated and community-officer initiated) between 2020 and 2022, including field interviews, drug law violations, warrant arrests, trespass warnings/arrests, and other incidents where a person was stopped and asked to identify themselves.
Use of Force - It is the policy of the Harvard University Police Department to value, protect and preserve human life. When exercising lawful authority to use force, the HUPD will only use such force as is necessary to effectively bring an incident or person under control, while protecting the lives of officers and others. Police have the right to use force in the resolution of some situations, for example, when police have probable cause to arrest someone: if the person to be arrested resists, reasonable force can be used to overcome that resistance. The HUPD is committed to the use of de-escalation techniques to negate the need to use unnecessary force on an individual. Effective communication is essential to establish a rapport with an individual in order to get voluntary compliance to directions that are given.

Information by Category

Calls for Service

Calls for Service (CFS) can be initiated by the community, by an officer, or in response to an alarm, and are addressed either in the field or over the phone.

Not all calls for service result in an incident report being written. The calls for service data below represents calls where an HUPD officer was assigned to a call. These incidents do not include calls transferred to another public safety agency, Harvard Department, or other entity more suited to deal with an issue.

A "Call for Service" is a documented record in the Department's Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) System where an officer is dispatched or self-initiates to incidents such as:

Criminal Incidents

Safety Escorts

Suspicious activity

Well-being checks

Lost and/or stolen property

Alarms and disturbances

Lockouts

Trespassing

Definitions

Alarm - Fire, Intrusion, Panic, Other

Alarm-Fire – documents incidents where HUPD receives fire alarm notifications. Officers as well as fire department personnel are dispatched to determine the cause of the alarm and to ensure public safety.
Alarm-Intrusion – documents incidents where HUPD receives an intrusion alarm notification for an exterior door or an interior area protected by an alarm. Officers are dispatched to determine the cause of the alarm and to ensure public safety.
Alarm Panic – documents incidents where HUPD receives a duress alarm notification. Officers are dispatched to determine the cause of the alarm and to ensure public safety.
Alarm Other – documents incidents where officers are dispatched to an audible alarm to determine the cause and to ensure public safety.

Annoying and Accosting/Disorderly Conduct, Liquor/Drug Law Violation/Driving Violations

Annoying and Accosting - documents incidents of engaging in knowingly offensive and disorderly act(s).
Disorderly Conduct - documents incidents of fighting/threatening behavior, or other hazardous or physically offensive conduct, that served no legitimate purpose.
Liquor/Drug Law Violation - documents incidents of the unlawful possession, sale, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and/or alcohol on Harvard University property.
Driving Violations - documents incidents of driving violations including, but not limited to, speeding, reckless driving, operating under the influence (OUI), driving without insurance, or operating with a suspended license.

Arson

Arson - To unlawfully and intentionally damage or attempt to damage any real property or personal property by fire or incendiary device.

Assault/Assault and Battery

Assault/Assault and Battery - documents incidents of an unlawful physical attack by one person upon another or when an individual is placed in fear of violence as a result of another individual's behavior.

Assist Other PD/Agency

Assist Local Police – documents incidents where HUPD officers assist a local law enforcement agency, including Cambridge PD, Boston PD, State PD, and Transit PD. Officers frequently assist local police departments for medical calls, motor vehicle accidents, or thefts in another jurisdiction.
Assist Other Agency – documents incidents where HUPD officers assist another agency, including fire departments or federal agencies.

Disturbance, Noise or Skateboard/Bike Complaint, Visitor Conduct

Bike/Skateboard Complaint - documents incidents where HUPD receives a complaint of individuals skateboarding and/or biking on Harvard University property.
Disturbance – documents incidents where HUPD receives a report of an individual disturbing the peace, usually by arguing or loud noises. Officers are dispatched to determine the cause of the disturbance and request the individual(s) keep the noise level down or send them on their way.
Noise Complaint/Loud Party – documents incidents where HUPD officers become aware of excessive noise or a loud gathering. Officers determine the source of the noise and request the noise level be kept down or individuals disperse from the area.
Visitor Conduct – documents incidents where visitors have acted in a manner that either violates criminal law or University guidelines, and the person is asked by an HUPD officer to either cease their behavior or leave University property.

Escort, Assist Other Harvard Department/Citizen/Motorist

Assist Other Harvard Department – documents incidents where HUPD officers assist another Harvard department, including but not limited to, Environmental Health & Safety, Campus Services, or Harvard University Health Services.
Courtesy Escort – documents incidents where an HUPD officer escorts students, faculty, staff, or visitors, either on foot or in a vehicle, to another location on campus or to a location nearby.
Assist Citizen/Motorist – documents incidents where an HUPD officer writes a courtesy report detailing credit/debit card fraud, identity fraud, internet scams, or assists motorist with directions.

Fraud/Forgery/Embezzlement

Embezzlement – documents the unlawful misappropriation by an offender to his/her own use or purpose of money, property, or some other thing of value entrusted to his/her care, custody, or control.
Forgery – documents the altering, copying, or imitating of something, without authority or right, with the intent to deceive or defraud by passing the copy or thing altered or imitated as that which is original or genuine, or the selling, buying, or possession of an altered, copied, or imitated thing with the intent to deceive or defraud.
Fraud – The intentional perversion of the truth for the purpose of inducing another person or other entity in reliance upon it to part with something of value or to surrender a legal right.

Field Interview/Warrant Arrest

Field Interview - A "field stop", also known as a "Terry stop", occurs when an officer briefly detains an individual based on their reasonable articulable suspicion that the individual is engaging in, or about to engage in a criminal behavior. During the course of the field stop, the office request identification from the individual stopped and may make an inquiry via the state and the FBI to determine if the individual has an active warrant for their arrest.
Warrant Arrest - documents incidents where HUPD places an individual under arrest for an active warrant. A warrant arrest may occur following a field interview if any officer makes an inquiry via the state and the FBI to determine if the individual has an active warrant.

Found/Recovered/Lost Property

Found/Recovered Property – documents incidents where an individual turns in found or abandoned property located on campus, or property located off campus, which belongs to an affiliate.
Lost Property - documents incidents where a student, faculty, staff, or visitor reports the loss of personal or University property on campus.

Harassment/Stalking/Peeping and Spying/Wiretapping

Harassment - incidents of a pattern of conduct or series of knowing acts over a period of time directed at a specific person, which seriously alarm that person and would cause a reasonable individual to suffer substantial emotional distress.
Peeping and Spying - documents incidents of photographing, videotaping or electronically surveilling partially nude or nude person.
Stalking - documents incidents of behavior directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear for the person’s safety or the safety of others; or suffer substantial emotional distress.
Wiretapping – documents the recording, interception, use or disclosure of any conversation, whether in person or over the telephone, without the permission of all the parties.

Hazardous Condition/Bomb Threat/Fire

Hazardous Condition - documents incidents of condition that may adversely affect the safety of any individual or property. Hazardous conditions may include, but are not limited to, chemical spills,
Bomb Threat - documents incidents of the willful and malicious communication verbal or written, to detonate an explosive or incendiary device.
Fire – documents incidents of as any instance of open flame or other burning in a place not intended to contain the burning or in an uncontrolled manner.

Kidnapping

Kidnapping - The unlawful seizure, transportation, and/or detention of a person against their will or of a minor without the consent of a custodial parent(s) or legal guardian.

Lockin/Out, Open Door/Window, Stuck Elevator

Lockout/Lockin – documents incidents where HUPD officers assist a student, faculty, or staff who is locked out of or locked in at a location on campus.
Open Door/Window – documents incidents where HUPD receives a report of an open door and/or window. Officers are dispatched to determine the reason for the open door/window, secure the area, and ensure all is well.
Stuck Elevator - documents incidents where HUPD receives a report of a stuck elevator.

Medical Call/Check Wellbeing

911 Call Abandoned – documents 911 call hang-ups received by Boston, Cambridge, or Somerville Police where HUPD officers are dispatched to determine the reason for the hang-up and to ensure all is well.
Check Wellbeing - documents incidents where a student, faculty, staff, or visitor may be in need of medical assistance and an HUPD officer and/or emergency medical personnel assess the individual.
Medical Call – documents incidents where a student, faculty, staff, or visitor is either sick or injured and an HUPD officer and/or emergency medical personnel assess the individual, which could result in a transport to either HUHS or an outside medical facility

Missing Person

Missing Person - documents incidents where HUPD receives a report of the absence of a student, faculty, staff, or visitor without an apparent reason.

Motor Vehicle Accident, Parking/Traffic Complaint/Tow

Motor Vehicle Accident - documents incidents of a vehicle in motion striking another vehicle or property.
Parking/Traffic/Condition/Tow – documents incidents involving a broken down vehicle, an illegally parked vehicle, a vehicle blocking the roadway, or a vehicle tow.

Property Damage/Vandalism

Property Damage - documents incidents of unintentional damage to Harvard University property or personal property.
Vandalism - documents incidents of deliberate damage or destruction to Harvard University property.

Sex Offense

Sex Offense - documents incidents of Rape (MGL Ch. 265, Sec. 22), Indecent Assault (MGL Ch. 265, Sec. 13H), and Open and Gross (MGL Ch. 272, Sec. 16).

Special Event, Demonstration

Special Event/Demonstration - documents incidents where HUPD receives a report or observes a demonstration.

Suspicious Activity

Suspicious Activity – documents incidents where HUPD officers become aware of concerning, non-criminal behavior occurring on campus. Incidents of suspicious activity may include an individual examining bicycles near a bike rack for an extended period of time or an individual peering into windows of University buildings.

Theft/Receiving Stolen Property

Theft Report – documents incidents where a student, faculty, staff, or visitor reports the theft of personal or University property on campus.
Receiving Stolen Property - documents incidents where an individual knowingly receives, or assist in the concealment or buying, of stolen property.

Threat / Threat to commit a crime

Threat / Threat to Commit a Crime – documents incidents where an individual threatens to commit a crime against a person or their property.

Trespass Warning/Trespass Letter/Trespassing

Trespass Warning – documents incidents where individuals acted in a manner that either violates criminal law or University guidelines, and as a result, the person is issued a trespass warning for Harvard University property. Trespass warnings may also be issued upon the request of University officials. If a person returns to Harvard University property after being issued a trespass warning, the individual is subject to arrest.
Trespass Letter - documents incidents where HUPD issues a written a trespass warning for Harvard University property following behavior that either violates criminal law or University guidelines. Trespass letters may be issued upon the request of University officials. If a person returns to Harvard University property after being issued a trespass letter, the individual is subject to arrest.
Trespassing - documents incidents where an individual enters or remains on Harvard University property without permission, or enters onto Harvard University property after being issued a trespass warning/letter.

Calls for Service responded by HUPD between 2023 and 2025

62%

Service Related Calls

38%

Direct Responses

2.6%

Enforcement Action

The majority of calls for service, 62%, that the HUPD responded to between 2023 and 2025 are service related (e.g., alarm, medical, found/recovered property) rather than direct responses to crime or suspected crime.

The remaining 38% of calls for service were direct responses to criminal activity that occurred or were in the process of occurring, behavior that violates criminal law or University guidelines, or the possible threat to someone’s personal safety. Of the criminal incidents, 4% involved reports of violent crime.

About 2.6% of calls for service responded to by an HUPD officer between 2023 and 2025 involved an enforcement action. Enforcement actions include a field stop, arrest or criminal complaint, or use of force. Multiple enforcement actions may occur in a single call for service.

Calls for Service	Incident Reports	Field Stops	Arrest & Criminal Complaints	Use of Force
21,083	7,425	361	149	31

2023 - 2025 Calls for Service

Calls for Service Grouping 2023 - 2025	Calls for Service (CFS)	Yearly Average	% of Total CFS	Incident Reports Written	Yearly Average	% of Reports Written of Total CFS	Incidents Involving Enforcement Actions	Yearly Average	% of Enforcement Action of Total CFS
Alarm - Fire/Intrusion/Panic/Other	6,881	2,294	32.6%	75	25	0.4%	0	0	0.00%
Medical Call/Check Wellbeing	3,138	1,046	14.9%	1,846	615	8.8%	11	4	0.05%
Found/Recovered/Lost Property	2,082	694	9.9%	1,267	422	6.0%	0	0	0.00%
Disturbance/Noise or Skateboard/Bike Complaint/Visitor Conduct	1,782	594	8.5%	254	85	1.2%	4	1	0.02%
Theft/Receiving Stolen Property	1,626	542	7.7%	1,577	526	7.5%	101	34	0.48%
Suspicious Activity	925	308	4.4%	370	123	1.8%	0	0	0.00%
Escort/Assist HUHS/Other Harvard Dept./Citizen/Motorist	901	300	4.3%	284	95	1.3%	0	0	0.00%
Motor Vehicle Accident/Parking and Traffic Complaint/Tow	848	283	4.0%	248	83	1.2%	2	1	0.01%
Assist Other PD/Agency	844	281	4.0%	275	92	1.3%	20	7	0.09%
Lockin/Out/Open Door/Window/Stuck Elevator	465	155	2.2%	4	1	0.02%	0	0	0.00%
Property Damage/Vandalism	298	99	1.4%	275	92	1.3%	3	1	0.01%
Special Event/Demonstration	271	90	1.3%	73	24	0.3%	0	0	0.00%
Trespass Warning/Trespass Letter/Trespassing	227	76	1.1%	220	73	1.0%	220	73	1.04%
Annoying and Accosting/Disorderly Conduct/Liquor/Drug/Weapons Law Violation/Driving Violations	214	71	1.0%	166	55	0.8%	3	1	0.01%
Assault/Assault and Battery	129	43	0.6%	118	39	0.6%	70	23	0.33%
Hazardous Condition/Bomb Threat/Fire	126	42	0.6%	89	30	0.4%	0	0	0.00%
Harassment/Stalking/Peeping and Spying/Wiretapping	92	31	0.4%	81	27	0.4%	12	4	0.06%
Field Interview/Warrant Arrest	83	28	0.4%	80	27	0.4%	79	26	0.37%
Threat/Threat to Commit Crime	81	27	0.4%	73	24	0.3%	0	0	0.00%
Sex Offense	40	13	0.2%	29	10	0.1%	13	4	0.06%
Missing Person	12	4	0.06%	6	2	0.03%	0	0	0.00%
Fraud/Forgery/Embezzlement	8	3	0.04%	6	2	0.03%	0	0	0.00%
Robbery	5	2	0.02%	5	2	0.02%	1	0	0.005%
Arson	3	1	0.01%	3	1	0.01%	1	0	0.005%
Kidnapping	2	1	0.01%	1	0	0.005%	1	0	0.005%
TOTAL	21,083	7,028	100%	7,425	2,475	35%	541	180	2.6%

Sex Offense may include, but is not limited to, Rape (MGL Ch. 265, Sec. 22), Indecent Assault (MGL Ch. 265, Sec. 13H), and Open and Gross (MGL Ch. 272, Sec. 16).

Field Stops

A "field stop", also known as a "Terry stop", occurs when an officer briefly detains an individual based on their reasonable articulable suspicion that a crime has occurred, the individual is engaging in, or about to engage in criminal behavior.

During the course of the field stop, the officer requests identification from the individual stopped and may make an inquiry via the state and the FBI to determine if the individual has an active warrant for their arrest.

The data reported represents all field stops (both officer initiated and community initiated) between 2023 and 2025, including field interviews, drug law violations, warrant arrests, trespass warnings/arrests, and other incidents where a person was stopped and asked to identify themselves.

Incidents Involving Field Stops, 2023-2025

Out of the 21,083 calls for service that HUPD officers responded to from 2023 to 2025, 361 (1.7%) involved a field stop by an HUPD officer.

361

Field Stops

414

Individuals

120

Stops on Average a Year

From 2023 to 2025, officers conducted a total of 361 field stops involving 414 individuals. On average, the HUPD conducts 120 field stops each year, involving 138 individuals.

Field Stops - Community and Officer Initiated, 2023 - 2025

88%

Calls from the Community

12%

Officer Initiated

Of the 361 field stops, 88% (319) resulted from calls from the community, and 12% (42) were officer initiated.

Field Stops - How Initiated

How Initiated	2023	2024	2025	TOTAL	%
Community Initiated	99	116	104	319	88.4%
Officer Initiated	16	18	8	42	11.6%
TOTAL	115	134	112	361	100%

Community initiated refers to a call for service initiated by any individual other than an HUPD officer. Community initiated calls may be initiated by a member of the Harvard community, Cambridge or Boston community, or a local or government law enforcement agency.

Field Stops - Action Taken, 2023 - 2025

27%

Left voluntarily

48%

Trespass warning issued

22%

Arrested

Taken to a medical facility

Of the 361 stops, involving 414 individuals, 27% (111) of individuals stopped left voluntarily, were asked to refrain, or allowed to stay, 48% (197) were issued a trespass warning, 22% (92) were arrested, sought a criminal complaint against, or held for another police department, and 3% (14) were taken to a medical facility.

Of the 414 individuals stopped from 2023-2025, 340 individuals were stopped once, 23 individuals were stopped twice, 5 individuals were stopped three times, 2 individuals were stopped four times, and 1 individual was stopped five times.

Field Stops - Incidents

Calls for Service Grouping	2023	2024	2025	TOTAL	%
Trespassing/Trespass Warning/Trespass Letter	53	61	79	193	53.5%
Field Interview/Warrant Arrest	29	27	16	72	19.9%
Theft/Receiving Stolen Property	6	20	6	32	8.9%
Assault/Assault and Battery	15	9	5	29	8.0%
Assist Other PD/Agency	7	6	4	17	4.7%
Sex Offense	3	1	0	4	1.1%
Medical Call/Check Wellbeing	2	2	0	4	1.1%
Harassment/Stalking/Peeping and Spying/Wiretapping	0	3	0	3	0.8%
Disturbance/Noise or Skateboard/Bike Complaint/Visitor Conduct	0	2	1	3	0.8%
Property Damage/Vandalism	0	2	0	2	0.6%
Annoying and Accosting/Disorderly Conduct/Liquor/Drug Law Violation/Driving Violations	0	1	0	1	0.3%
Motor Vehicle Accident/Parking and Traffic Complaint/Tow	0	0	1	1	0.3%
TOTAL	115	134	112	361	100%

Sex Offense may include, but is not limited to, Rape (MGL Ch. 265, Sec. 22), Indecent Assault (MGL Ch. 265, Sec. 13H), and Open and Gross (MGL Ch. 272, Sec. 16).

Field Stops - Affiliates and Non-Affiliates, 2023 - 2025

83%

Not affiliated with Harvard

17%

Harvard University affiliates

Of the 414 persons stopped, 83% (345) were not affiliated with Harvard, and the remaining 17% (69) were Harvard University affiliates.

Of those 69 Harvard affiliates stopped, 70% (48) were students or alumni, and 30% (21) were staff members, contractors, faculty, partners or special borrowers.

Field Stops - Demographics

Demographic	2023		2024		2025		TOTAL	%
Race/Ethnicity	Community Initiated	Officer Initiated	Community Initiated	Officer Initiated	Community Initiated	Officer Initiated	Total	%
White	51	10	85	8	62	3	219	52.9%
Black/African American	32	5	31	10	24	3	105	25.4%
Hispanic	1	2	0	0	7	0	10	2.4%
Asian	21	0	15	0	8	0	44	10.6%
American Indian/Alaska Native	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.0%
Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.0%
Unreported Race	7	0	5	1	21	2	36	8.7%
Total	112	17	136	19	122	8	414	100%
Gender	Community Initiated	Officer Initiated	Community Initiated	Officer Initiated	Community Initiated	Officer Initiated	Total	%
Male	91	15	89	14	89	7	305	73.7%
Female	20	2	45	4	24	1	96	23.2%
Non-Binary/Genderqueer/ Gender Non-Conforming	1	0	2	1	9	0	13	3.1%
TOTAL	112	17	136	19	122	8	414	100%
Affiliation	Community Initiated	Officer Initiated	Community Initiated	Officer Initiated	Community Initiated	Officer Initiated	Total	%
Not Affiliated	85	16	115	18	103	8	345	83.3%
Student/Alumni	16	1	14	1	16	0	48	11.6%
Faculty/Staff/Contractor	6	0	1	0	2	0	9	2.2%
Special Borrower/Partner	5	0	6	0	1	0	12	2.9%
TOTAL	112	17	136	19	122	8	414	100%
Age	Community Initiated	Officer Initiated	Community Initiated	Officer Initiated	Community Initiated	Officer Initiated	Total	%
17 and under	3	0	4	0	4	0	11	2.7%
18 to 24	13	2	20	2	19	2	58	14.0%
25 and over	86	14	101	15	88	6	310	74.9%
Unknown	10	1	11	2	11	0	35	8.5%
TOTAL	112	17	136	19	122	8	414	100%

A Special Borrower is an individual with borrowing privileges at Harvard University libraries.

A Partner is an individual who shares a relationship with a Harvard University affiliate.

Public Log Entries for Field Interviews, 2023 - 2025

To review further data on field stops, including log narratives, please select the link below. To learn about the daily log, please visit the Public Log webpage.

2023-2025 Field Stops Public Logs PDF

Arrests & Criminal Complaints

An arrest is the power and authority of a police officer to apprehend and deprive persons of their liberty, as provided by law, in order that such persons may be brought before the court to answer to criminal charges.

An HUPD officer may make an arrest with a warrant, without a warrant (if the officer has probable cause to believe the person has committed or is in the process of committing a felony), or for a misdemeanor offense committed in the officer’s presence. In instances where an arrest is not made at the scene, an officer may seek a criminal complaint at a later date from a district court via a written application outlining the act(s) that constitutes the crime(s). A person can be arrested for multiple offenses during an incident.

To learn about the statutory authority of HUPD officers, please review the HUPD's webpage.

Incidents Involving Arrests and Criminal Complaints, 2023-2025

Out of the 21,083 calls for service that HUPD officers responded to from 2023 to 2025, 0.7% (149) led to an arrest or criminal complaint by an HUPD officer.

149

Arrests or criminal complaints by an HUPD officer

91%

Resulted from calls from the community

Officer Initiated

Most arrests and criminal complaints between 2023 and 2025 pertain to non-violent crime, such as larceny (23%), trespassing (16%), warrant arrests (7%), receiving stolen property (6%), and burglary (5%).

Of the 149 incidents, 91% (136) resulted from calls from the community, and 9% (13) were officer initiated.

Arrests & Complaints - How Initiated

How Initiated	2023	2024	2025	Total	%
Community initiated	50	47	39	136	91.3%
Officer initiated	5	5	3	13	8.7%
Total	55	52	42	149	100%

Arrests & Complaints, 2023 - 2025

From 2023 to 2025, 149 incidents resulted in HUPD performing an arrest or seeking criminal complaints against a person(s).

149

Incidents

45%

Arrests

55%

Complaints

Of those 149 incidents, 45% (67) ended in arrests, and 55% (82) resulted in complaints being sought against a person(s). These incidents involved a total of 157 persons and resulted in 246 total charges sought.

Arrests & Complaints - Individuals with Multiple Interactions

157

Total Individuals

102

Individuals were arrested or sought for a complaint once

Individuals were arrested or sought for a complaint twice

Individuals were arrested or sought for a complaint three or more times

Of the 157 individuals arrested or sought for criminal complaints from 2023 to 2025, 102 individuals were arrested or sought for a complaint once, 15 individuals were arrested or sought for a complaint twice, 2 individuals were arrested or sought for a complaint three times, 1 individual was arrested or sought for a complaint four times, 1 individual was arrested or sought for a complaint six times, and 1 individual was arrested or sought for a complaint nine times.

Arrests & Complaints - Incidents

Calls for Service Grouping	2023	2024	2025	Total	%
Theft/Receiving Stolen Property	22	25	19	66	44.3%
Assault/Assault and Battery	12	10	8	30	20.1%
Trespassing/Trespass Warning/Trespass Letter	7	8	5	20	13.4%
Harassment/Stalking/Peeping and Spying/Wiretapping	3	4	2	9	6.0%
Sex Offense	5	2	1	8	5.4%
Field Interview/Warrant Arrest	4	2	2	8	5.4%
Annoying and Accosting/Disorderly Conduct, Liquor/Drug Law Violation/Driving Violations	1	1	2	4	2.7%
Property Damage/Vandalism	0	0	1	1	0.7%
Robbery	1	0	0	1	0.7%
Kidnapping	0	0	1	1	0.7%
Arson	0	0	1	1	0.7%
Total	55	52	42	149	100%

Sex Offense may include, but is not limited to, Rape (MGL Ch. 265, Sec. 22), Indecent Assault (MGL Ch. 265, Sec. 13H), and Open and Gross (MGL Ch. 272, Sec. 16).

Arrests & Complaints - Charges

Charge Category	2023	2024	2025	Total	%
Larceny	24	17	15	56	22.8%
Assault/Assault and Battery	20	13	15	48	19.5%
Trespassing	9	20	11	40	16.3%
Warrant Arrest	6	5	5	16	6.5%
Receiving Stolen Property	3	6	5	14	5.7%
Burglary	4	2	6	12	4.9%
Sex Offense	5	3	2	10	4.1%
Fraud	3	6	0	9	3.7%
209A Violation	1	2	4	7	2.8%
Resisting Arrest	1	3	2	6	2.4%
Operating Under the Influence/Driving Violation	0	1	5	6	2.4%
Harassment Prevention Order Violation/Witness Intimidation	3	2	0	5	2.0%
Malicious Destruction of Property	0	2	2	4	1.6%
Threat to Commit Crime	1	0	2	3	1.2%
Civil Rights Law Violation	2	0	0	2	0.8%
Annoying and Accosting	1	0	1	2	0.8%
Kidnapping	0	0	2	2	0.8%
Murder - Attempted	1	0	0	1	0.4%
Robbery	1	0	0	1	0.4%
Disorderly Conduct	0	0	1	1	0.4%
Arson	0	0	1	1	0.4%
Total	85	82	79	246	100%

Sex Offense may include, but is not limited to, Rape (MGL Ch. 265, Sec. 22), Indecent Assault (MGL Ch. 265, Sec. 13H), and Open and Gross (MGL Ch. 272, Sec. 16).

Fraud charges may include, but are not limited to, Credit Card Fraud, Improper Use, Forgery, Furnishing False Name or Social Security, Identify Theft, and Uttering False Statements.

Driving Violations charges may include, but are not limited to, Operating to Endanger and Operating Under the Influence.

Arrests & Complaints - Affiliation

Of the 157 persons, 81% (127) were not affiliated with Harvard, and the remaining 19% (30) were Harvard University affiliates.

81%

Not affiliated with Harvard

19%

Harvard University affiliates

Arrests & Complaints - Demographics

Demographic	2023		2024		2025		Total	%
Race/Ethnicity	Community Initiated	Officer Initiated	Community Initiated	Officer Initiated	Community Initiated	Officer Initiated	Total	%
White	17	2	26	3	21	2	71	45.2%
Black/African American	19	1	12	2	11	0	45	28.7%
Hispanic	11	2	4	0	4	0	21	13.4%
Asian	6	0	6	0	4	1	17	10.8%
American Indian/Alaska Native	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.0%
Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.0%
Unreported Race	2	0	1	0	0	0	3	1.9%
Total	55	5	49	5	40	3	157	100%
Gender	Community Initiated	Officer Initiated	Community Initiated	Officer Initiated	Community Initiated	Officer Initiated	Total	%
Male	51	4	27	4	34	3	123	78.3%
Female	4	1	22	1	6	0	34	21.7%
Non-Binary/Genderqueer/ Gender Non-Conforming	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.0%
Total	55	5	49	5	40	3	157	100%
Affiliation	Community Initiated	Officer Initiated	Community Initiated	Officer Initiated	Community Initiated	Officer Initiated	Total	%
Not Affiliated	40	5	41	5	33	3	127	80.9%
Student/Alumni	9	0	3	0	5	0	17	10.8%
Faculty/Staff/Contractor	4	0	3	0	2	0	9	5.7%
Special Borrower/Partner	2	0	2	0	0	0	4	2.5%
Total	55	5	49	5	40	3	157	100%
Age	Community Initiated	Officer Initiated	Community Initiated	Officer Initiated	Community Initiated	Officer Initiated	Total	%
17 and under	2	0	2	0	0	0	4	2.5%
18 to 24	21	1	3	0	3	0	28	17.8%
25 and over	32	4	44	5	37	3	125	79.6%
Total	55	5	49	5	40	3	157	100%

A Special Borrower is an individual with borrowing privileges at Harvard University libraries.

A Partner is an individual who shares a relationship with a Harvard University affiliate.

Public Log Entries for Arrest & Criminal Complaints, 2023 - 2025

To review further data on arrest and criminal complaints, including log narratives, please select the link below. To learn about the daily log, please visit the Public Log webpage.

2023-2025 Arrests & Criminal Complaints Public Logs PDF

Use of Force

HUPD officers are trained that they should only use the amount of force necessary to accomplish their lawful objective or to protect the officer or another from serious bodily injury or death.

The Harvard University Police Department values the sanctity of life and bodily integrity of all individuals. The Harvard University Police Department prioritizes the dignified and respectful treatment of all members of the public, as well as the safety of officers. In accordance with these principles, the Department and its officers shall implement this policy and sub-policies in a manner that is fair and unbiased. consistent with M.G.L. c. 6E, §1 and Mass CMR 6.00.

Officers shall seek to de-escalate and gain the voluntary compliance of individuals at all safe and feasible opportunities. If force is warranted, officers shall use only the amount of force that is necessary and objectively reasonable to accomplish lawful objectives and proportionate to the resistance or threat encountered.

Officers are trained to continually evaluate the circumstances of the encounter with the goal of deescalating to a lower force level. If de-escalation does not work, officers may apply an escalating level of force to meet the level of resistance.

Officers are not required to start at the lowest level of the use of force continuum but should select the appropriate level of force based upon their observations and the requirements of the circumstances.

The use of force options are:

Verbal Warning
Hand control techniques
Oleoresin Capsicum (OC Spray)
Impact weapons
Deadly force.

Officers shall not use force upon another person, unless de-escalation tactics have been attempted and failed or are not feasible based on the totality of the circumstances and such force is necessary and proportionate to:
1. Effect the lawful arrest or detention of a person;
2. Prevent the escape from custody;
3. Prevent imminent harm and the amount of force used is proportionate to the threat of imminent harm, while protecting the safety of the officer or others; or
4. Defend against an individual who initiates force against an officer.

HUPD officers shall not use a chokehold or other tactics that restrict or obstruct an individual’s breathing or oxygen or blood flow to an individual’s head or neck. An officer shall not obstruct the airway or limit the breathing of any individual, nor shall an officer restrict oxygen or blood flow to an individual's head or neck. An individual placed on their stomach during restraint should be moved into a recovery position or seated position as soon as practicable.

Except to temporarily gain, regain or maintain control of an individual and apply restraints, an officer shall not intentionally sit, kneel, or stand on an individual's chest or spine and shall not force an individual to lie on their stomach. In no event may an officer intentionally sit, kneel, or stand on an individual’s neck or head.

HUPD officers have a duty to intervene when they observe another officer using or attempting to use physical force, including deadly force, beyond that which is necessary or objectively reasonable based on the totality of the circumstances, shall intervene to prevent the observed officer’s use of unnecessary or unreasonable force, regardless of the rank or agency affiliations of the officer so observed, unless intervening would result in imminent harm to the officer or another identifiable individual.

De-escalation: Proactive actions and approaches used by an officer to slow down, stabilize, and reduce the intensity of an encounter in an attempt to avoid or mitigate the need to use force and to avoid or reduce threats, gain the voluntary compliance of the individual involved in the encounter, and safely resolve the encounter without further jeopardizing the safety of the officer or any individual present or involved in the encounter.
De-escalation Tactics: As defined in M.G.L. c. 6E, § 1 and 555 CMR 6.03, proactive actions and approaches used by an officer to stabilize a law enforcement situation so that more time, options and resources are available to gain a person's voluntary compliance and to reduce or eliminate the need to use force including, but not limited to, verbal persuasion, warnings, slowing down the pace of an incident, waiting out a person, and requesting additional resources to resolve the incident including, but not limited to, calling in medical or licensed mental health professionals, as defined in M.G.L. c. 111, § 51½(a), to address a potential medical or mental health crisis. Deescalation tactics shall include, but are not limited to, issuing a summons instead of executing an arrest where feasible.
Force: As defined in 555 CMR 6.03, the amount of physical effort, however slight, required by police to compel compliance by an unwilling individual. Force does not include physically escorting or handcuffing an individual who offers minimal or no resistance. For purposes of this policy, “force” includes:

Any physical strike or attempted strike;
Any intentional contact with an individual through the use of a weapon (e.g., baton, OC,ECW, chemical weapon, kinetic impact device);
Any significant physical contact that restricts movement (e.g., takedown, hard empty hand techniques, chokeholds);
Pointing a firearm, ECW, or chemical weapon at an individual; and
Deployment of a police dog resulting in contact.

Non-Deadly or Less-Lethal Force: As defined in 555 CMR 6.03, any use of force other than that which is considered deadly force that involves physical effort to control, restrain, or overcome the resistance of another.
Deadly or Lethal Force: As defined in M.G.L. c. 6E, § 1 and 555 CMR 6.03, physical force that can reasonably be expected to cause death or serious bodily injury.

Incidents Involving Use of Force, 2023 - 2025

Out of the 21,083 calls for service that HUPD officers responded to from 2023 to 2025, 0.15% (31) led to an incident involving the use of force by an HUPD officer.

21,083

Total Calls for Service

Use of Force Incidents

According to ‘Contacts Between Police and the Public, 2022’ among the 53.8 million U.S. residents age 16 or older, 2% (1.04 million) experienced threats or use of force from police.

Use of Force - How Initiated, 2023 - 2025

90%

Resulted from calls from the community

10%

Officer Initiated

Of the 31 field stops, 90% (28) resulted from calls from the community, and 10% (3) were officer initiated.

Use of Force - How Initiated

Reason	2023	2024	2025	Total	%
Community Initiated	8	10	10	28	90.3%
Officer Initiated	0	3	0	3	9.7%
Total	8	13	10	31	100%

Use of Force - Incidents Involving Use of Force

Incident Report Category	2023	2024	2025	Total	%
Assault/Assault and Battery	4	5	3	12	38.7%
Medical Call/Check Wellbeing	2	3	2	7	22.6%
Theft/Receiving Stolen Property	0	2	1	3	9.7%
Assist Other PD/Agency	1	1	1	3	9.7%
Trespassing/Trespass Warning/Trespass Letter	0	0	2	2	6.5%
Field Interview/Warrant Arrest	0	1	1	2	6.5%
Disturbance, Noise or Skateboard/Bike Complaint, Visitor Conduct/Unwanted Guest	0	1	0	1	3.2%
Sex Offense	1	0	0	1	3.2%
TOTAL	8	13	10	31	100%

Use of Force - Reason

Reason	2023	2024	2025	Total	%
Effect Arrest/Detention	4	8	8	20	64.5%
Prevent imminent harm to self/others	4	3	2	9	29.0%
Prevent imminent harm to officer(s)	0	1	0	1	3.2%
Prevent the escape from custody	0	1	0	1	3.2%
Self-defense against an attack	0	0	0	0	0.0%
TOTAL	8	13	10	31	100%

Use of Force - Type of Resistance

Type of Resistance	2023	2024	2025	Total	%
Passive Resistance	4	4	4	12	38.7%
Active Resistance	3	5	2	10	32.3%
Assaultive (Bodily Harm)	1	4	4	9	29.0%
Assaultive (Serious Bodily Harm/Death)	0	0	0	0	0.0%
TOTAL	8	13	10	31	100%

Use of Force - Type of Force

Type of Force	2023	2024	2025	Total	%
Verbal Warning	0	1	0	1	3.2%
Hand control techniques	7	11	10	28	90.3%
Oleoresin Capsicum (OC Spray) Pointed	1	0	0	1	3.2%
Oleoresin Capsicum (OC Spray) Discharged	0	1	0	1	3.2%
Impact weapons	0	0	0	0	0.0%
Firearm pointed	0	0	0	0	0.0%
Firearm discharged	0	0	0	0	0.0%
TOTAL	8	13	10	31	100%

Use of Force - Affiliates and Non-Affiliates, 2023 - 2025

Of the 31 persons, 61% (19) were not affiliated with Harvard, and the remaining 39% (12) were Harvard University affiliates.

61%

Not affiliated with Harvard

39%

Harvard University affiliates

Use of Force - Demographics

Demographic	2023		2024		2025		Total	%
Race/Ethnicity	Community Initiated	Officer Initiated	Community Initiated	Officer Initiated	Community Initiated	Officer Initiated	Total	%
White	4	0	3	0	7	0	14	45.2%
Black/African American	1	0	4	3	3	0	11	35.5%
Hispanic	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.0%
Asian	3	0	2	0	0	0	5	16.1%
American Indian/Alaska Native	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.0%
Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.0%
Unknown	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	3.2%
Total	8	0	10	3	10	0	31	100%
Gender	Community Initiated	Officer Initiated	Community Initiated	Officer Initiated	Community Initiated	Officer Initiated	Total	%
Male	7	0	9	3	8	0	27	87.1%
Female	1	0	1	0	2	0	4	12.9%
Non-Binary/Genderqueer/ Gender Non-Conforming	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.0%
Total	8	0	10	3	10	0	31	100%
Affiliation	Community Initiated	Officer Initiated	Community Initiated	Officer Initiated	Community Initiated	Officer Initiated	Total	%
Not Affiliated	4	0	5	3	7	0	19	61.3%
Student/Alumni	4	0	4	0	3	0	11	35.5%
Faculty/Staff/Contractor	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.0%
Special Borrower/Partner	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	3.2%
Total	8	0	10	3	10	0	31	100%
Age	Community Initiated	Officer Initiated	Community Initiated	Officer Initiated	Community Initiated	Officer Initiated	Total	%
17 and under	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	3.2%
18 to 24	4	0	4	0	2	0	10	32.3%
25 and over	3	0	5	3	8	0	19	61.3%
Unknown	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	3.2%
Total	8	0	10	3	10	0	31	100%

A Special Borrower is an individual with borrowing privileges at Harvard University libraries.

A Partner is an individual who shares a relationship with a Harvard University affiliate.

Public Log Entries for Use of Force, 2023 - 2025

To review further data on arrest and criminal complaints, including log narratives, please select the link below. To learn about the daily log, please visit the Public Log webpage.

2023 - 2025 Use of Force Public Logs PDF

Personnel Complaints

The Harvard University Police Department takes seriously all complaints regarding the service provided by the Department and the conduct of its members. The Department will accept and address all complaints of misconduct in accordance with the Department's Personnel Complaint policy and applicable federal, commonwealth, and local law, municipal and county rules, and the requirements of any employment agreements. It is also the policy of this department to ensure that the community can report misconduct without concern for reprisal or retaliation.

Personnel complaints include any allegation of misconduct or improper job performance that, if true, would constitute a violation of department policy, or of federal, commonwealth, or local law, policy, or rule. Personnel complaints may be generated internally or by the public. Inquiries about conduct or performance that, if true, would not violate department policy or federal, commonwealth, or local law, policy, or rule may be handled informally by a supervisor and shall not be considered a personnel complaint. Such inquiries generally include clarification regarding policy, procedures, or the response to specific incidents by the Department.

At the end of a personnel investigation where a complaint is sustained, the formal performance correction process could include a verbal warning, a written warning, suspension and in some cases, termination.

As required by law, the Harvard University Police Department submits records of sustained allegations and discipline imposed on active officers to the Police Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission. In August 2023, POST published their first report for all officer discipline across the state. The report may be found on the Officer Disciplinary Records database.

Personnel Complaints - Number of Complaints, 2023 - 2025

From 2023 to 2025, the HUPD investigated a total of 49 complaints. Complaints are initiated internally or externally from community members.

76%

Unprofessional Conduct

12%

Bias

10%

Excessive Force

Improper Firearm Usage/Storage

Of the 49 complaints, 76% (37) involved unprofessional conduct, 12% (6) involved an allegation of bias, 10% (5) involved an allegation of excessive force, and 2% (1) involved an improper firearm usage or storage.

Personnel Complaints - Allegations

Allegation	2023	2024	2025	Total	%
Unprofessional Conduct	10	20	7	37	75.5%
Bias	2	0	4	6	12.2%
Excessive force	0	0	5	5	10.2%
Improper firearm usage or storage	0	1	0	1	2.0%
Serious Bodily Injury or Death	0	0	0	0	0.0%
Total	12	21	16	49	100%

Personnel Complaints - How Initiated, 2023 - 2025

How Initiated	2023	2024	2025	Total	%
Internal	11	15	6	32	65.3%
External	1	6	10	17	34.7%
Total	12	21	16	49	100%

Personnel Complaints - Findings, 2023 - 2025

How Initiated	2023	2024	2025	Total	%
Sustained	7	16	5	28	57.1%
Not-Sustained	2	0	0	2	4.1%
Exonerated	1	5	9	15	30.6%
Unfounded	0	0	2	2	4.1%
In Progress	2	0	0	2	4.1%
Total	12	21	16	49	100%

The data above is based on calendar year.

HUPD Dashboard

The Harvard University Police Department has created a Dashboard to display specific performance indicators for the Department

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About the Data

Dashboard Highlights

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Information by Category

Calls for Service

Criminal Incidents

Safety Escorts

Suspicious activity

Well-being checks

Lost and/or stolen property

Alarms and disturbances

Lockouts

Trespassing

Definitions

Calls for Service Definitions expand_more

Calls for Service responded by HUPD between 2023 and 2025

2023 - 2025 Calls for Service

Field Stops

Incidents Involving Field Stops, 2023-2025

Field Stops - Community and Officer Initiated, 2023 - 2025

Field Stops - How Initiated

Field Stops - Action Taken, 2023 - 2025

Field Stops - Incidents

Field Stops - Affiliates and Non-Affiliates, 2023 - 2025

Field Stops - Demographics

Public Log Entries for Field Interviews, 2023 - 2025

Arrests & Criminal Complaints

Incidents Involving Arrests and Criminal Complaints, 2023-2025

Arrests & Complaints - How Initiated

Arrests & Complaints, 2023 - 2025

Arrests & Complaints - Individuals with Multiple Interactions

Arrests & Complaints - Incidents

Arrests & Complaints - Charges

Arrests & Complaints - Affiliation

Arrests & Complaints - Demographics

Public Log Entries for Arrest & Criminal Complaints, 2023 - 2025

Use of Force

More About Use of Force expand_more

Use of Force Definitions expand_more

Incidents Involving Use of Force, 2023 - 2025

Use of Force - How Initiated, 2023 - 2025

Use of Force - How Initiated

Use of Force - Incidents Involving Use of Force

Use of Force - Reason

Use of Force - Type of Resistance

Levels of Resistance Definitions expand_more

Levels of Resistance

Use of Force - Type of Force

Use of Force - Affiliates and Non-Affiliates, 2023 - 2025

Use of Force - Demographics

Public Log Entries for Use of Force, 2023 - 2025

Personnel Complaints

Read More About Making a Personnel Complaint expand_more

Personnel Complaints - Number of Complaints, 2023 - 2025

Read More About Personnel Complaint Allegations expand_more

Personnel Complaints - Allegations

Personnel Complaints - How Initiated, 2023 - 2025

Personnel Complaints - Findings, 2023 - 2025

Read More About Personnel Complaint Investigation Findings expand_more

Last updated April 1, 2026