One example of a crime handled completely by the HUPD involved four Currier residents, who were arrested spring 1996 on drug-dealing charges, McNamara said.

But if the four had been dealing drugs off campus, Riley said, the HUPD would have had to alert CPD and the state police because it would involve jurisdiction beyond Harvard.

McNamara said the state police must be alerted in all cases involving sudden death, homicides or suicides.

The June 1995 Dunster murder-suicide case--in which Sinedu Tadesse '96 stabbed Trang P. Ho '96 and then hanged herself--began with a call to HUPD, in which the caller simply reported "a woman screaming in Dunster House," according to the 1995 HUPD police blotter.

But it grew into a collaborative effort between HUPD, CPD and the state police, McNamara said. Riley added that "rape or other major cases" are reported to other police departments as well, because there is the "potential [in rape cases] that the perpetrator was from the outside."

Riley said the state police is also responsible for incidents involving the John F. Kennedy Memorial Park on JFK Street or along Memorial Drive, because both are state properties.

Several weeks ago, HUPD officers caught up with a man in Quincy House courtyard who had reportedly stolen a purse along the Charles River. Because the incident occurred on the state-owned riverfront, state troopers had to report to Plympton Street before HUPD could take further action.

Lack of Tension

Riley said since he came on the job two years ago, the relationship between CPD and HUPD has been "very good."

"It's one of the best I've seen as far as cooperation goes," he said.

CPD's Pasquerello said HUPD and CPD have a close relationship because officers from the two departments meet every Wednesday morning to discuss important matters.

"We've had a pretty good rapport with them over the years, and I don't think it's going to change any," he said. "I don't think Harvard is trying to hide anything. Our only difference is in the style and color of [police] cars. Everybody's concern is public safety."

Pasquerello added that despite popular conception, "if a Harvard student is arrested just like a citizen, we don't treat them differently than anyone else."

An arrested student is booked and held in jail at CPD headquarters in Central Square until he or she is bailed, Riley said.

If students are arrested by HUPD, they are transported from the holding cell in HUPD headquarters along Garden Street to CPD headquarters in Central Square, after they have had their photographs and fingerprints taken.

Boston Police spokesperson Kevin D. Jones said his force also has good relations with other police departments, such as the HUPD.