University Police Hire Diverse Class

The Harvard University Police Department (HUPD) yesterday inducted its most diverse class of police officers ever.

The class of ten graduates includes three women, one Black and an Asian-American, the department's first.

Chief Paul E. Johnson said that the class is not only diverse but of high professional quality.

"Many minority members took the exam and did not score high enough," Johnson said. "But this is a very good group. They came through the program with flying colors."

The officers faced an extremely competitive selection process, Johnson said. Out of 700 contenders, only the ten hired scored high enough on written, psychological, and physical exams to enroll in the 18-week preparatory course at the Massachusetts Criminal Justice Training Council.

In the course, recruits learned criminal, constitutional, court and motor vehicle law. They also followed a rigorous physical fitness program, said Sgt. Lawrence J. Fennelly.

None of the Harvard officers graduated the academy with a score lower than 91 percent on the tests.

"Everyone is extremely well qualified," said John J. O'Kane, president of the class. "Everyone had their own particular strengths and weaknesses. We helped each other through certain things."

Johnson said the group of new officers will bring the force back up to full strength for the first time in two years. The force has been seven officers short since the University began an accelerated retirement plan last fall, Johnson said.

Johnson said that the additional officers will allow HUPD to implement its new security policy. This plan involves assigning veteran police officers to fixed areas in the University.

"The plan represents a shift in philosophy from reactive policing to proactive," Johnson said. "The police willparticipate more fully with the community. Theywill learn the source of problems before theybecome actual problems."

Johnson said he will spend the next two weeksfamiliarizing the rookies with Harvard propertyand officials. The officers will then beginserving on the late shift.

Police officials added that the new officersmight also serve as undercover agents from time totime.

Officers interviewed said they were excited tohave finished the training program and are eagerto begin work as Harvard police officers.

"It's a great sense of accomplishment," saidOfficer Richard C. Vitale, who said he has wantedto be a police officer since he was a little boy."You're starting your career now. Aside fromhaving children, it's the greatest day of yourlife.

Johnson said he will spend the next two weeksfamiliarizing the rookies with Harvard propertyand officials. The officers will then beginserving on the late shift.

Police officials added that the new officersmight also serve as undercover agents from time totime.

Officers interviewed said they were excited tohave finished the training program and are eagerto begin work as Harvard police officers.

"It's a great sense of accomplishment," saidOfficer Richard C. Vitale, who said he has wantedto be a police officer since he was a little boy."You're starting your career now. Aside fromhaving children, it's the greatest day of yourlife.