New allegations of racism in the security guard division didn't make things any better.

Two guards and one former guard publicly charged that supervisors harassed and even fired guards because of their ethnicity.

"[Security supervisor] Bonnie Henna has definitely harassed me--at least 25 different times," said one Black guard in mid-May.

Johnson and Robert J. Dowling, manager of operations for security, denied the charges of racism in the department.

"How could I, as a Black man, tolerate a racist supervisor?" Johnson said after the charges were leveled.

Some members of the patrol division do not believe there is any discrimination among the officers.

"There is no racism in the locker room or anything like that," says officer George F. Pierce, who has been with the department for 22 years. "If there were, I would be personally offended."

But the opinion in the security division is divided. Some guards say they see racism all the time.

"It's been blatant--racial problems within the guard unit, stuff has been said to me," says one Black guard.

Others respond to the charges with disbelief. "I have never seen racial problems in almost six years here," says Claverly Hall guard Phil Hajra.

Although Johnson denies the allegations, he recognizes the effect the charges have had on the force.

"The recent spate of allegations in the security and police divisions certainly do not enhance morale," he acknowledges. "But the truth is forth coming and morale will improve."

Johnson looks forward to September, when the community policing program will be in full swing. He hopes the new program will help correct some of the public's misperceptions.

"We need to get fully involved with the community and satisfy its needs," says Johnson.