When Harvard University Police officers broke up an Adams House party last week, Black students said they were angered--but not very surprised by the police presence, which some called "excessive."

But police sources later defended their actions, pointing out that they retrieved mace, knives and a handgun from concert-goers.

The agitation over the incident points to tensions between police officers and students, which have become increasingly visible over the last decade.

Some students have criticized Police Chief Paul E. Johnson's handling of this and other racially-tinged incidents during his 12-year tenure. They say that Johnson and the rest of the administration have turned a deaf ear to the concerns of students who have experienced alleged harassment from HUPD officers.

"Whenever problems arose, [Johnson] seemed to bring them on the student rather than look for answers in the department," said David W. Brown '97, historian for the BlackStudents Association (BSA).

But the police chief has disagreed with thesecharges, saying his own racial identity preventshim from allowing racist sentiments on the policeforce.

"How could I as a Black man tolerate a racistsupervisor?" Johnson asked in an interview of May1992, during an investigation into charges ofracial harassment on the security guard unit.

Johnson was on vacation this week andunavailable for comment.

Police officers praise the chief's loyalty tohis officers and maintain that he handled theincidents properly.

"I think [Johnson has] been very receptive,"Harvard Police Lt. John F. Rooney said.

"He tries to deal with [students' concerns]effectively and objectively...He's done his utmostto address them, to do whatever the incident mayhave warranted," Rooney added.

Whatever the tone of the outgoing chief'stenure, University officials say the choice of anew police chief is a matter for carefulconsideration.

Johnson, who is 65, officially declared hisintention to retire from his post as early as Mayof this year, Vice President and General CounselMargaret H. Marshall said in an interview earlierthis month. An advisory group of faculty membersand police administrators has been set up toadvise her in choosing a successor.

Currently there are no students on Marshall'sadvisory group. But she said Monday that themembership list is not yet final.

"Students will be consulted in the process,"she said, but she would not comment further on thegroup's activities.

BSA President Kristen L. Clarke '97 said thatstudent representation on Marshall's committeewould be very helpful in ensuring that the rightcandidate is chosen for the campus.