Ali Says Guards' Charges `Confirm' Fears About Police

The Black Students Association president said yesterday that charges of racial harassment of University security guards by their supervisors "confirm" his concerns about racism in the Harvard University Police Department.

In a flyer distributed last spring, the BSA said the police department "perpetrated injustices upon people of color." One of the four incidents detailed in the flyer involved a security guard, who was not named.

"I think it just confirms the concerns we had last year," said Zaheer R. Ali '94. "The fact that this is coming from the guards inside the department proves our point."

Last spring, seven former and current minority guards said they were harassed by their supervisors. Earlier this month, a Black student at the Graduate School of Education also complained of being harassed when she worked as a dispatcher for the escort service.

University officials--including Police Chief Paul E. Johnson and former General Counsel Daniel Steiner '54--denied that there were problems of harassment in the department. An investigation by the general counsel's office in the spring cleared the supervisors.

But last week, Dean of Students Archie C. Epps III, who is coordinating College efforts to improve campus race relations, said tensions in the guard unit were a "serious problem" for the University. And yesterday, President Neil L. Rudenstine said he will ask the general counsel's office to reopen its investigation.

Ali said yesterday that any investigation of the harassment charges must be thorough and meticulous. He said that while he did not object to the police's internal investigation, some "objective observer" should inquire into sensitive matters such as on-the-job harassment.

"It is our hope that any charges of harassmentwould be investigated fully, and not haphazardlyjust to avoid bad public relations," he said.

But Ali stopped short of criticizing Johnsonfor the alleged racial problems in his department.Johnson has defended his department by sayingthat, as a Black man, he would never "tolerate" aracist supervisor.

"I'm sure [Johnson] has good intentions, but Iquestion whether a racist officer would expresshis racism openly and overtly in front of him,"said Ali.

Johnson has not returned repeated telephonecalls over the past two days.

Ali said the BSA does not plan to address theguards' charges. He did say that minority studentswho met with Johnson last spring to discussrelations with the police "are planning to further[their] work."

Director of Human Resources Diane Patrick, whoas University attorney conducted last spring'sinvestigation of the guard unit, did not return aphone call yesterday.

Acting General Counsel Frank J. Connors, whohas said guards used charges of discrimination asa "crutch," was on vacation and could not bereached for comment.

John Lakin , attorney for Manager of Operationsfor Security Robert J. Dowling, said yesterday hesaw no need for the University to reopen itsinvestigation of the security department.

"I don't see the purpose of doing that," saidLakin. "Mr. Steiner's investigation speaks foritself."

Carolyn R. Young '76, associate director oflabor relations, said only that reopening theUniversity's investigation was "the president'sdecision."

Young investigated Black guard StevenThompson's complaint last year and found it to bewithout merit.

"I think the matter has been thoroughlyinvestigated," Young said. "If the president wantsto investigate it again, it's his call..

"It is our hope that any charges of harassmentwould be investigated fully, and not haphazardlyjust to avoid bad public relations," he said.

But Ali stopped short of criticizing Johnsonfor the alleged racial problems in his department.Johnson has defended his department by sayingthat, as a Black man, he would never "tolerate" aracist supervisor.

"I'm sure [Johnson] has good intentions, but Iquestion whether a racist officer would expresshis racism openly and overtly in front of him,"said Ali.

Johnson has not returned repeated telephonecalls over the past two days.

Ali said the BSA does not plan to address theguards' charges. He did say that minority studentswho met with Johnson last spring to discussrelations with the police "are planning to further[their] work."

Director of Human Resources Diane Patrick, whoas University attorney conducted last spring'sinvestigation of the guard unit, did not return aphone call yesterday.

Acting General Counsel Frank J. Connors, whohas said guards used charges of discrimination asa "crutch," was on vacation and could not bereached for comment.

John Lakin , attorney for Manager of Operationsfor Security Robert J. Dowling, said yesterday hesaw no need for the University to reopen itsinvestigation of the security department.

"I don't see the purpose of doing that," saidLakin. "Mr. Steiner's investigation speaks foritself."

Carolyn R. Young '76, associate director oflabor relations, said only that reopening theUniversity's investigation was "the president'sdecision."

Young investigated Black guard StevenThompson's complaint last year and found it to bewithout merit.

"I think the matter has been thoroughlyinvestigated," Young said. "If the president wantsto investigate it again, it's his call..