Immediate Problems

The police patrol officer's association has been embroiled in a long-running contract dispute with the University. And the union that represents Harvard's security guards is no closer to a new contract of its own.

Compounding Riley's problems, 17 Harvard officers took a recent Massachusetts Civil Service Exam, ostensibly seeking employment in another commonwealth municipality.

Riley says his officers routinely take the examination, sometimes merely to see how well they can perform.

A more immediate problem is the aftermath of the lightning-quick firing of the seven lieutenants, which continues to generate fallout within the department.

New Faces

Part of Riley's plan to dig out of this crisis will be easily visible on campus this fall, as 13 new officers make their first term-time patrols.

Fresh from police academy, they bring to 19 the number of officers Riley has brought on. The new officers are handpicked and wholeheartedly sold on community policing.

These new officers will take the streets armed with a revised game plan from Kelling's report. Aside from putting more officers on patrol, Kelling recommends that HUPD reduce its reliance on squad cars.

He wants community policing sergeants like Robert A. Cooper, Robert J. Kotowski, and James McCarthy to formulate annual strategic plans.

On a patrol last month, new officer Mike Price stopped his car to shake hands with a student walking on the side of the road.

"I'm trying to meet as many people as I can," Price says.