Policing An Efficient Police Chief

When the "hot-shot-cop from Minnesota," as some Harvard patrolmen ambivalently refer to their chief, came here in 1975, he initiated major changes in the role of the Harvard policeman, and today the Police Association claims these changes have precipitated "distrust" and "low morale" in the force.

University and union negotiators sat down at the bargaining table yesterday after a three-week hiatus that a federal mediator recommended to allow Harvard to re-evaluate its police administration procedures.

The union, which has been working without a contract since January 1, requested a halt to the contract talks because "a deep mistrust of the chief of police" made it impossible to negotiate, Henry Wise '18, the union's attorney, said earlier this week.

David L. Gorski, chief of the University Police, attributed the mood to his attempts to rapidly modernize the force by sending patrolmen for police academy training, altering working hours, centralizing administration, and generally working to increase the department's efficiency.

Union representatives said that although they agree with Gorski's attempts to upgrade the skills and responsibilities of the force, they believe he is trying to "squeeze men out" by increasing the workload and training requirements.

The last police contract was settled a year ago November after six months of rocky negotiations featuring a Holyoke Center protest by 21 officers who stalked out of a bargaining session after learning Gorski had altered their shifts.

This year the tensions are probably greater, and unless the University can deal with the non-economic issues stalling the talks, it could prove to be another tumultuous marathon.