On a chillly September evening, first-years fidgeted in their Science Center seats and watched Officer Kevin P. Bryant approach the podium, sporting a Glock .40 semiautomatic pistol, handcuffs and a nightstick hanging around his waist.

Giving the audience a menacing glance, Bryant smiled and yelled, "What class is this?" A quiet "2001" ruffled through the crowd.

"I don't think you heard me!" Bryant said. "What class is this?"

The students shouted: "2001!"

"Welcome to Harvard University!" Bryant yelled over enthusiastic cheers.

Bryant is one of nine officers who volunteered for the Harvard University Police Department's new community policing program, started this fall by Chief Francis D. "Bud" Riley, which emphasizes personal interaction with students.

Substations and Speeches

The Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program puts officers in direct contact with students through the construction of three new police substations in Weld Hall and Quincy and Cabot houses. These substations complement informational appearances by officers such as Bryant's.

At the substations, students can register their bicycles, file a police report, talk to officers and sign up for the Rape Aggression Defense course. The officers' safety discussions include tips on locking doors and preventing strangers from following students into dorms.

Jenny Allard, a proctor in Matthews Hall, says her police study break in October was one of the best attended among her proctor group. "They touched on a lot of important subjects," Allard says. "It's a great program. I hope it continues."

Christopher Lim Park '01, who attended a security study break in Mower, agrees, but questions the talks' effectiveness. "I didn't really learn anything new but it was a nice gesture," he says.

Officials say the program also marks a change in attitude that will hopefully make Harvard a safer place.

"There has been a separation between the University and the police," says Sgt. James L. McCarthy, an eight-year HUPD veteran. "There wouldn't be any interaction so it sort of breeds mistrust. We're trying to get back to the old style of policing where the police knows everybody in the neighborhood."

McCarthy recalls an officer he knew while growing up in New York during the 1960s. "On the corner on the way to school was Tony the cop," he says. "I remember him clearly to this day. He was out there every day.

"I bet you he knew every single thing that went on on that whole block in New York. And that's what we've got to get back to," he adds. "Everybody knew Tony, and everybody respected him. I think if we start working to get to that ideal, it'd just be a whole lot better."