Harvard Police Department

Harvard Police Department Official page of the Harvard Police Department

On September 11, 2026, we will come together to mark the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001, honoring the lives lost...
09/01/2026

On September 11, 2026, we will come together to mark the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001, honoring the lives lost, the sacrifices made, and the courage and service shown on that day and in the years since.

Harvard Police Department and Harvard Fire-EMS invite the community to join us for a 9/11 25th Anniversary Remembrance Ceremony.

Friday, September 11, 2026
Ceremony begins promptly at 8:46 A.M.
Harvard Public Safety Building
40 Ayer Road, Harvard

As part of this year’s ceremony, we will also re-dedicate the Harvard Public Safety Memorial, adding the names of members of our public safety family who have passed away during the last five years and who dedicated themselves to serving the Town of Harvard.

We invite residents, families, town employees, public safety members, and members of the community to join us as we pause to remember those we lost, honor those who served, and recognize those who continued a legacy of service here at home.

We Will Never Forget.
Honor. Remember. Unite.

HARVARD POLICE BODY-WORN CAMERA PROGRAM GOES LIVE SEPTEMBER 1Beginning tomorrow, September 1, the Harvard Police Departm...
08/31/2026

HARVARD POLICE BODY-WORN CAMERA PROGRAM GOES LIVE SEPTEMBER 1

Beginning tomorrow, September 1, the Harvard Police Department will officially implement its new body-worn camera program.

This important investment was made possible through a highly competitive grant from the Commonwealth’s Body-Worn Camera Grant Program. Harvard received $127,716.20, allowing the Department to acquire modern Axon camera technology, supporting equipment, secure digital evidence storage, and officer training while significantly reducing the financial burden on local taxpayers.

Reaching this point involved months of grant preparation, policy development, coordination, system installation, testing, and training. Our goal was not simply to purchase cameras, but to build a responsible program that protects privacy, complies with Massachusetts law, supports our officers, and strengthens public confidence.

Body-worn cameras will provide clearer and more reliable documentation of calls for service, criminal investigations, arrests, traffic stops, and other police interactions.

Residents may now see Harvard officers wearing these cameras as part of their uniforms. Officers will activate them in accordance with Department policy and applicable law. Recordings will be securely maintained and handled under established evidence-retention and public-records requirements.

Body-worn cameras do not replace sound judgment, professionalism, or thorough police reports. They provide another valuable tool for preserving evidence, accurately documenting events, resolving complaints, supporting officer training, and promoting transparency and accountability.

I am proud of the work that went into bringing this program to Harvard. I am equally proud of our officers for embracing the training and preparation necessary to implement it properly. This represents another meaningful step in our continuing commitment to professional, accountable, and community-focused policing.

Thank you to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, our Town officials, and the members of the Harvard Police Department who helped make this project possible.

Chief James D. Babu

🏆 CONGRATULATIONS, HARVARD FIRE-EMS! 🚒The Harvard Police Department proudly congratulates our partners at Harvard Fire-E...
08/31/2026

🏆 CONGRATULATIONS, HARVARD FIRE-EMS! 🚒

The Harvard Police Department proudly congratulates our partners at Harvard Fire-EMS on winning the 2026 Wachusett Fire Muster Championship!

Hosting the 99th Annual Wachusett Fire Muster was impressive enough, but bringing home the championship trophy made the day even more special. Their teamwork, skill, determination, and department pride were on full display throughout the competition.

We are proud to work alongside these dedicated men and women throughout the year. This was a well-earned victory and a great day for the entire Harvard community.

Congratulations to the whole team. The trophy stays home! 🚒🏆

08/29/2026

PUBLIC SAFETY INCIDENT UPDATE

On August 27, the Harvard Police Department requested the public’s assistance identifying an individual connected to a serious incident at Saint Benedict Center. That post generated significant attention, criticism, and inappropriate commentary. Now that the individual has been identified, we can provide limited clarification.

Police received a report that the individual had entered private school property without authorization and was encountered behind a school building by a member of the religious community. When confronted, he allegedly became belligerent and threatened to return with a firearm and shoot the Center’s dogs.

Our request for assistance concerned this specific reported conduct. It was not based simply on the fact that the individual was riding a bicycle or wearing cycling clothing. Cyclists generally were never considered suspects, and lawful cycling was never treated as suspicious.

Through digital investigative work and independent corroboration, our detective identified the individual as a Texas resident traveling along the East Coast by bicycle. His identity was independently confirmed. The Department did not accept social media speculation or an unverified name as fact.

The reporting party subsequently indicated that she did not wish to pursue a criminal complaint, and the individual continued his travels. The original post was removed once it was no longer needed for an investigative purpose. The reporting party’s decision does not diminish the seriousness of a threat involving a firearm or the Department’s responsibility to investigate it fully.

Some comments made beneath the original post were offensive and derogatory. Those comments did not come from, and do not represent, the Harvard Police Department. Comments posted by members of the public on an official page should never be interpreted as carrying the Department’s endorsement.

We will continue to treat reported threats seriously while conducting our investigations carefully, fairly, and without making assumptions about any individual or group. The investigative work performed in this case was thorough and professional, and it reflects the high standard of police service our community should expect.

Chief James Babu

**The male party in the photos has been potentially identified **The Harvard Police Department is currently looking f...
08/27/2026

**The male party in the photos has been potentially identified **

The Harvard Police Department is currently looking for a male party who was involved in an incident that occurred yesterday 08/26/2026 around 5:15 PM at the Saint Benedict Center, 275 Still River Road. During the incident, the male threatened to return to the property with a firearm.

He was described as riding a black bike and wearing a red, white, black, and blue top, black shorts, a white/dark-colored helmet, and dark sunglasses.

Please keep an eye out in the area and do not approach or confront him. If you see someone matching this description or have any information that may help, please contact the Harvard Police Department. If you believe there is an immediate threat, call 911.

Please join us in welcoming the newest member of the Harvard Police Department, Officer Walter Evans III!Officer Evans c...
08/04/2026

Please join us in welcoming the newest member of the Harvard Police Department, Officer Walter Evans III!

Officer Evans comes to Harvard with 20 years of law enforcement experience, having proudly served with both the neighboring Bolton Police Department and the UMass Police Department. His many years of experience, knowledge, and commitment to public service will be a great addition to our department and our community.

We are excited to have Walter join the HPD team and begin this next chapter of his career serving the Town of Harvard.

Welcome to Harvard, Officer Evans! We’re glad to have you aboard! 🚔👮‍♂️

Please join the Harvard and Stow Police Departments in welcoming Lily Flanders as our new Co-Response Clinician serving ...
07/21/2026

Please join the Harvard and Stow Police Departments in welcoming Lily Flanders as our new Co-Response Clinician serving both communities.

Lily recently earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work and brings valuable experience working alongside law enforcement to support individuals experiencing mental health crises, substance use challenges, and other behavioral health needs.

Our Co-Response Program is an important partnership that combines the resources of law enforcement and behavioral health professionals to provide compassionate support, connect people with services, and help improve outcomes for individuals and families in our communities.

We are excited to have Lily join our team and look forward to the positive impact she will have in both Harvard and Stow.

Welcome to the team, Lily! 💙🚓

⚠️ TRAFFIC ALERT – STOW ROAD CLOSURE RESCHEDULED ⚠️Due to the forecast for heavy rain, the planned road closure on Stow ...
07/21/2026

⚠️ TRAFFIC ALERT – STOW ROAD CLOSURE RESCHEDULED ⚠️

Due to the forecast for heavy rain, the planned road closure on Stow Road has been rescheduled.

MIRRA Construction will be performing work requiring a large crane on Stow Road at the I-495 overpass.

🗓 Thursday, July 23
🕗 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM

During this time, **Stow Road will be closed between Codman Hill Road

⚠️ TRAFFIC ALERT – STOW ROAD CLOSURE ⚠️The Harvard Police Department would like to advise motorists that MIRRA Construct...
07/17/2026

⚠️ TRAFFIC ALERT – STOW ROAD CLOSURE ⚠️

The Harvard Police Department would like to advise motorists that MIRRA Construction will be performing work requiring a large crane on Stow Road at the I-495 overpass.

🗓 Wednesday, July 22
🕗 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM

During this time, Stow Road will be closed between Codman Hill Road and Eldridge Road. A signed detour will be in place.

Southbound Stow Road traffic will be detoured via:
➡️ Eldridge Road
➡️ Old Harvard Road
➡️ Burroughs Road
➡️ Mass Avenue (Route 111)

Please plan for additional travel time, use alternate routes if possible, and follow all posted detour signs and directions from police officers and traffic control personnel.

We appreciate your patience and cooperation while this work is completed safely. Please see the attached detour map for additional details.

Traffic Detour NoticeOn Thursday, July 16, Mirra Construction will be performing electrical work for National Grid in th...
07/14/2026

Traffic Detour Notice

On Thursday, July 16, Mirra Construction will be performing electrical work for National Grid in the area of Stow Road under I-495.

The work involves setting utility poles across the highway, which will require the use of a very large crane. For safety reasons, a temporary road closure and detour will be necessary. The closure is expected to last approximately 3 hours. We estimate 9AM-12PM.

During the closure:

Stow Road will be closed at Codman Hill Road and again at Stow Road and Eldridge Road.

Southbound traffic on Stow Road will be detoured left onto Codman Hill Road.

The additional detour route will be:

Eldridge Road to Old Harvard Road, Boxborough, to Burroughs Road, Boxborough, then back to Mass Ave, Route 111.

Mirra Construction has advised that this work will need to be repeated one more time during the same approximate time frame next week. We will provide an additional notice once that date is confirmed.

Please plan ahead, allow extra travel time, and use caution in the area while crews are working.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation.

Harvard Police Department

Address

40 Ayer Road
Harvard, MA
01451

Telephone

+19784568276

Website

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