Blaney, who participates in several local groups for female officers, agrees with this assessment "The women who come on now are going to be judged by what the female officers have done before." She adds that "people in other departments that have had feelings about women on the job probably have had women on the job."

Although Blaney voices the need for more women on the Harvard force, she does not advocate a set percentage. "I don't think you want to have women because somebody decides you need better representation," she says. "If you get some kind of affirmative action pushing qualified and unqualified people in a group, then people condemn the whole group."

Alturnative action is something that Blaney personally never needed Policework is "something I wanted to do for a long time, since high school," she explains. She and a hometown friend from Newton. Mass joined a local Boy Scout Police Explorer post in 1972 when the national program became coeducational. In 1976, she joined the Harvard department as a radio dispatcher because at 19. "I was too young to take the civil service exam."

At the time, she was told routinely by superiors that she would probably never have a chance at moving into the patrol force "It had nothing to do with sex," she remarks. "They were trying to avoid the dispatchers being frustrated, wanting to be out on the street instead of doing then own job."

But in 1979, a year after Chatin arrived several openings for patrolmen were advertised. She took a general knowledge examination the first step in Harvard's selection process--along with 200 other candidates in Memorial Hall, the home of the largest undergraduate finals. But unlike in College tests, where "as many pass as know the material," Blancy explains. "That's not the way it is to get on the force when there are only four open spots."

Blaney qualified, and she and Sullivan were two of the first four women to attend the state's training academy at Topsfield, Mass. Although not discriminatory, the academy instructors were never sure what to expect of the female cadets, Blancy says. She recalls a shooting instructor who separated the women from the rest and told them to "go home and squeeze a tennis ball 500 times every night" so that they would be able to pull the trigger of a revolver. The following week on the range, Blancy--currently one of the two best shots in the department--tied with a male cadet for the group's top score, a perfect 100 mark. She then suggested to the instructor "that he just announce to the whole class that those without experience squeeze the tennis ball."

Blancy finished first in her academy class of 25, but she says she was still apprehensive when she started on foot patrols near the Charles River. "I don't think the other officers cared that you ran a seven minute mile or finished first in the class". She adds that "everybody is judged out on the street by whether you want a particular officer to come on your call with you Maybe I didn't have to try harder, but I left like I did.

The confidence others compliment her lot came with time on the beat. After about a year, I felt I could handle just about in thing "But the enjoyment she gets from the job comes largely from its unpredictable nature You never master it she explains. Every night you come out here, you get a call and you learn something from who's responsible for something in a building to a point of law in making an arrest."

The physical requirements of policework do not frighten her. "They teach you at the academy not to use your hands, to use the equipment you're issued," she says of possible confrontations, adding that she is "as qualified to use a baton as any of the men."

But she believes physical action can often be avoided. "You go to calls when it becomes a battle of egos and things get out of hand unnecessarily. I don't like to do things unnecessarily."

But her superiors and fellow patrolmen have no doubts about her capabilities. "She can really handle herself," remarks one officer "She won't back down to any man" Morse agrees, "When push comes to shove. Barbara can certainly hold her own."

In addition to patrolling on the midnight to 8 a.m. shift, Blaney serves as one of the female officers required by state law on Harvard's Sensitive Crime Unit. The unit investigates any sex-related crimes on University property.

She agreed to participate in special training programs for the unit because "it was something I had to do for my fellow women." she says, adding that "if I was in the position. I would want a woman available."

Blancy explains that a victim of tape might agree to be interviewed by a male officer "but be more reluctant to go into the detail with a man." By interviewing victims herself, she can sometimes strengthen a case. "It's nice to be able to present a district attorney a case that is so tight that the defendant pleads guilty and the victim doesn't have to go through the trauma of testifying in court."

"We bring her (Blaney) in even if she doesn't do the initial interview with the victim." Chalin explains. "It might be easier for a female victim to talk to her and that opinion is very, very important."

Despite her satisfaction with the job. Blaney says she still feels the pressure of more traditional female roles. "Some of it comes from home Both my parents are teachers, and I'm sure they always expected me to be a teacher." Social life is also difficult with midnight to 8 a. m. hours, making it "a struggle to keep old ties whether it's girlfriends or boyfriends." She adds that "after 10 or 15 years, some officers find out they only have friends who are other police officers, and I don't want that to happen to me."

Blaney's main occupation during off hours is a two-bedroom house she bought in Somerville. "I don't think you can ever get finished with something like that," she says.

But on duty, Blaney says, "having my freedom and being able to use my training is something I really enjoy." More than making a risky arrest, she explains her function "as part of a helping agency" is the most rewarding part of the job. "You feel really good when you get off the shift because you helped someone in a medical emergency or something. I don't think arresting someone makes me particularly happy."