| Urgent: 617-495-1212 (Longwood 617-432-1212)
| Business: 617-495-1215 |
|
|
Overview
The mission of the Harvard University Police Department (HUPD) is to maintain a safe and secure campus by providing quality policing in partnership with the community. The HUPD pursues this mission within the University context of free expression, rigorous inquiry, vast diversity, and pursuit of distinction. The HUPD honors these traditions and seeks success by means that are moral, constitutional, and respectful of individual rights and community interests. HUPD's headquarters is located at 1033 Massachusetts Avenue, on the sixth floor.
The HUPD is responsible for the safety and security of more than 19,000 students, 14,000 faculty and staff members, and 700 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.
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.
HUPD officers are sworn special State Police officers with deputy sheriff powers. Those powers give them the authority to respond to any crime on campus and any "breach of the peace" on city streets in Cambridge, Somerville, and Boston. Officers receive the same academy training as officers from Cambridge. With the exception of a couple of crimes, such as a homicide, the HUPD has primary jurisdiction over all crimes occurring on campus. However, the Department maintains a good working relationship with Cambridge Police, Boston Police, Massachusetts State Police, and Somerville Police and will coordinate with them at times in order to ensure the most appropriate response to criminal incidents occurring both on campus and the areas immediately adjacent to campus.
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
Criminal Investigations
HUPD officers investigate criminal 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.
Off-Campus Criminal Investigations
When a student is involved in off-campus incident involving disorderly or criminal behavior, HUPD officers may assist the local police department in their investigation. On a regular basis the Cambridge and Boston Police share incident reports which involve off-campus criminal activity committed by Harvard students. The HUPD shares those reports with the appropriate school or department for follow-up that could result in disciplinary actions.
|
