HUPD
New HUPD Chief Discusses Force’s Role in Responding to Mental Health Crises in Crimson Interview
Three months into his tenure, Harvard University Police Department chief Victor A. Clay said he is looking at changes to HUPD’s response to mental health crises on and near campus in an interview with The Crimson on Friday.
Harvard Saw Decrease in Total Crimes and Sexual Assaults, Increase in Burglaries During 2020
The total number of reported crimes in 2020 was 178, down from the 220 total crimes reported in 2019. On-campus crimes also saw a 14 percent decrease in 2020 — when college students were sent home in March, and only freshmen were invited to live back on campus in the fall.
HUPD Arresting Black People at Disproportionate Rate, New Data Shows
The Harvard University Police Department has been arresting Black people at a disproportionate rate compared to the general population over the last three years, according to data from the department’s new workload and crime dashboard.
New HUPD Chief Pledges to Improve Diversity, Transparency on Campus Force
As he begins his tenure as chief of the Harvard University Police Department, Victor A. “Vic” Clay said in his first interview with The Crimson Tuesday that he intends to diversify Harvard’s police force and increase communication between the department and the Harvard affiliates it serves.
HUPD Chief
Victor A. Clay, the new chief of the Harvard University Police Department, left, speaks Wednesday morning at a breakfast organized by men's basketball coach Tommy Amaker at Henrietta's Table.
Three Harvard Affiliates Assaulted in Separate Harvard Square Incidents
Three Harvard affiliates were separately assaulted near Harvard Square in the past week, though none required medical attention, according to police.
Arbitrator Rules Harvard Excessively Punished Police Officer Who Was Called Racist, Homophobic Epithets
An arbitrator ruled earlier this month that Harvard excessively punished a Black University police officer when it doled out equal punishments for fighting to the officer and a colleague who allegedly called him racial and homophobic epithets.
HUPD Investigating Two Vandalism Incidents at Harvard Hillel Amid Nationwide Rise in Anti-Semitism
The Harvard University Police Department is investigating two incidents of vandalism at the Harvard Hillel building that occurred within two weeks of each other in late May and sparked forceful emails from administrators.
Caltech’s Victor Clay Announced As New Harvard Police Chief After Eight-Month Search
Victor A. “Vic” Clay will serve as Harvard’s next chief of police, University President Lawrence S. Bacow and Executive Vice President Katherine N. Lapp announced in an email Tuesday afternoon, marking the conclusion to an eight-month long nationwide search for the next leader of the Harvard University Police Department.
Committee Tasked with Advising HUPD Holds Inaugural Meeting
Following the recommendation of an external review into Harvard’s police department, a newly formed committee comprised of affiliates spanning the University that will advise the department’s leadership held its inaugural meeting last month.
Harvard Affiliate Claims HUPD Log Inaccurately Represents His Detainment
A Mathematics postdoctoral fellow who alleges he was detained by the Harvard University Police Department said the terminology HUPD used to describe his stop is inaccurate.
‘A Complete Slap in the Face’: Student Organizations Condemn Bacow’s Guidance to Call HUPD in Response to Racial Violence
A dozen student organizations signed onto an open letter criticizing University President Lawrence S. Bacow for instructing Harvard affiliates in an email last week to contact the University’s police force if they have knowledge of a “racist attack.”
Massachusetts State Senator Discusses Police Reform Bill at HKS Event
Mass. Sen. William N. Brownsberger ’78 — a key player in the passage of the state’s recent police reform bill — spoke virtually to the Harvard Kennedy School as part of its Reimagining Community Safety Speaker Series on Wednesday.
Ten Stories That Shaped 2020
The past twelve months were a year like no other for Harvard and the world. Under the backdrop of a once-in-a-century pandemic, students took classes from all over the globe, while pushing for social change at the University and on the political stage. Here, The Crimson reviews ten stories that defined 2020 at Harvard.
HUPD Deputy Chief of Operations to Take Over as Harvard's Interim Chief of Police
Harvard University Police Department Deputy Chief of Operations Denis Downing will take over as Harvard’s interim chief of police on Jan. 1 as the nationwide search for a new department leader continues.
Racism Exposed in Harvard's Police Force
Criticisms of HUPD in 2020 coincided with a national reckoning on systematic racism in policing that erupted during the summer.
External Review into Harvard Police Proposes Philosophical, Procedural Changes
Harvard released the findings of an external review into the University's police department Wednesday that recommended both long-term, philosophical reforms and immediate procedural changes to the department.
Harvard Alliance Against Campus Cops Releases Report, Holds Event Calling for Abolition of HUPD
The Harvard Alliance Against Campus Cops called for the abolition of HUPD and presented a report on the police force’s history and procedures Tuesday.
Harvard Saw Increase in Bias Crime Reports, Decrease in Reported Rapes During 2019
Reports of on-campus bias crimes jumped in 2019, while reported rapes on campus declined for the third consecutive year, Harvard’s annual security report published Friday by the University’s police force showed.
UC Passes Legislation to Increase Transparency of Community Council, HUPD
Harvard’s Undergraduate Council passed legislation Sunday afternoon dedicated towards increasing accountability of the Community Council and the Harvard University Police Department.
Harvard Police Union Alleges Work Schedule Bid Process Violated Contract
Harvard’s police union filed a grievance with the University Wednesday alleging the force’s leadership violated the union’s collective bargaining agreement.
Nearly One Third of Harvard Undergrads Favor Proposals to Abolish or Defund HUPD
Roughly a third of undergraduates report favoring proposals to abolish or defund the Harvard University Police Department, according to a survey by The Crimson.
Harvard Police Investigating Unlawful Entry into Cabot House
An individual broke into Cabot House early last Tuesday, though they did not appear to steal property or enter residents’ rooms, according to reports by Harvard officials.