HOME / FAQ /

About HUPD

What is the difference between the HUPD and the city police, like Cambridge, Boston Police, etc.? Are there any times when the Cambridge or Boston Police would become involved in a crime occurring on Harvard’s campus?

A major difference between the HUPD and other local law enforcement agencies is jurisdiction, or territory in which the law enforcement agency is able to exercise its law enforcement powers. With the exception of certain crimes, such as homicide, HUPD has primary jurisdiction over all crimes occurring on Harvard property. However, the HUPD maintains a good working relationship with the Cambridge Police and the Boston Police, and will coordinate with them if necessary in order to ensure the most appropriate response and to maintain a safe and secure...

Read more about What is the difference between the HUPD and the city police, like Cambridge, Boston Police, etc.? Are there any times when the Cambridge or Boston Police would become involved in a crime occurring on Harvard’s campus?

Can you expand on exactly what is meant by community engagement?

Officers are committed to preventing crime and disorder and focus their efforts on eliminating the underlying causes of those problems. To do this, officers actively engage in partnerships with the community to address and solve problems. Partnerships are the foundation of effective problem solving and crime prevention, and these partnerships go both ways. Through these partnerships and collaborative problem solving with community members and other agencies, officers deal with problems, prevent crime, and help...

Read more about Can you expand on exactly what is meant by community engagement?

Where is HUPD located?

The HUPD headquarters is located at 1033 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA on the sixth floor. From the Smith Campus Center walk towards Central Square. 1033 Massachusetts Avenue is located just above Domino's Pizza.

The HUPD’s Longwood Campus office space is located at 90 Smith Street in Boston, MA. The office space ...

Read more about Where is HUPD located?

If I am on campus and I call 911, who responds?

If you call 911 on campus, either the Cambridge Police or the Boston Police will receive the call depending on your location. The HUPD has a good working relationship with both departments, and they generally inform the Department of the 911 call. HUPD officers either alone, or in a join response with another agency, will respond to your location. When assistance is requested, regardless of which agency you call, law enforcement personnel will respond to assist.

...

Read more about If I am on campus and I call 911, who responds?