Harvard University is investigating its police force following recent claims that HUPD targets black individuals.
The internal investigation began after officers stopped and questioned a black Harvard employee who was trying to cut the lock off of his bike because the lock’s key broke, according to an August letter from Harvard President Drew Faust.
The review will evaluate HUPD’s recruitment practices, diversity training and community outreach, Faust said.
Harvard hopes the internal review will create a better atmosphere at the university, according to a Harvard statement released Thursday.
“It is our hope that the special review chaired by Ralph Martin will help ensure optimal relations between the Harvard University Police Department and Harvard’s highly diverse community as we work continuously to provide a safe and welcoming environment for faculty, students, staff and visitors to our campus,” the statement said.
The officers involved in the bicycle lock incident are currently on paid administrative leave, Harvard spokesman Joe Wrinn said.
Harvard Black Student Association President Timothy Turner said the university is taking appropriate responsibility for what happened.
“I think the administration took the complaints severely and the launch of the investigation is the step in the right direction,” Turner said.
Turner said he does not believe the incidents that occurred are unique to Harvard and other colleges experience similar situations.
“The problem is magnified to a different scale because the university is held to a higher standard, but all college administrations should be familiar with the policy of a better campus police department,” Turner said.
Howard Thurman Center Assistant Director Raul Fernandez said he was not aware of any complaints from students about unfair treatment from the Boston University Police Department.
“I’m not getting any students saying they have any major run-ins with specific officers,” Fernandez said. “It seems to me that everything is ok.”
Fernandez said BUPD is sensitive to issues of unfair targeting or racial profiling.
“We want to make sure we facilitate an environment where students can come forward to tell us,” Fernandez said.
Though Harvard initiated the review of HUPD, College of Arts and Sciences junior Jean Giles said Harvard’s efforts are not enough and the school should take more drastic measures to insure that similar events do not happen again.
“Cops should be sent home without pay or straight-out fired to show that the university doesn’t tolerate discrimination or racism,” Giles said. “I feel like they are going to investigate and they might talk to the cops, but what else is going to happen?”