Parker said Johnson canceled several appointments with him to discuss the subject, and the supervisor said the chief initially forwarded the complaint to Dowling for a response.

In that response, which was obtained by The Crimson, Dowling did not dispute the differing treatment of the supervisors. He said Parker could not work days with weekends off because he had not learned how to do the unit's payroll. Dowling also suggested that Parker had betrayed his friendship by charging discrimination because Dowling had helped Parker on numerous occasions, including loaning him money and saving his job on two occasions.

Parker acknowledged borrowing money, but he vigorously disputed that his job was ever in jeopardy. Parker said he did not learn to do the payroll because he worked nights and Dowling had never given him an opportunity.

Eventually, Parker met with Johnson and received weekends off. But he said the incident upset him because Dowling had attacked him personally.

"I feel as though there were discriminatory practices," Parker said this week, adding that he did not understand why Dowling had reacted so strongly to his letter. "I don't think it was right or professional."

Although Parker said he disagreed with how Behenna treated security guards, he said he did not believe Behenna's actions were racially motivated.

Parker confirmed that Dowling promoted both him and Behenna to supervisor in 1984, with the approval of then-Police Lt. Donald Nunn. Behenna, in four years as a guard, had a history of disciplinary problems, including a five-day suspension, according to security department documents.

Parker said most guards complaining of harassment had to be closely supervised. But Parker said supervisors often exacerbated problems with bad attitudes.

"There are some people who can work alone, and there are some you have to stick with," Parker said. "A lot of it has to do with attitudes."

Parker, who had worked in supervisory roles at both Children's Hospital and First Security Services, said he soon came to regret his decision to accept a post as supervisor at Harvard.

'I think if the chief had gotten involved more, a lot of things wouldn't have happened. A lot of times I don't know if he was aware of what was going on.'

Parker, on Paul E. Johnson's role in the security controversy.

"Needless to say, after a short time I'd been there, I could have kicked myself for doing it," Parker said of his decision to leave his guard post for a supervisor's role.

Parker said his bosses have criticized him for being too easygoing. But Parker said his friendly management style made him an effective supervisor.

"One of my problems is I'm well-liked," said Parker. "They say you have to be more of a disciplinarian. But I don't think that's the way to do it."