Harvard professor arrested, accuses police of racism

[mass 04]

This is the best thing that could of happened to him. He becomes a martyr for his cause against evil white cops. All he had to do was show an id, but if he did that he wouldn't be on CNN and the front page of the Globe and Herald.

[24KT]

I have not been following the timeline of the story, ...however, the news as it is being reported up here, shows it as somewhat of a stain on the reputation of the police. the police are apologizing profusely for their regrettable actions.

What I don't understand however, is why he was required to step outside of his home in order to produce id?

If you're going to arrest a man for B&E, ...arrest him where he stands. From what I've both seen and heard thus far, ...it appears the police have a significant amount of egg on their faces and a PR nightmare to deal with, all because of an unqualified police officer.

[mass 04]

I have not been following the timeline of the story, ...however, the news as it is being reported up here, shows it as somewhat of a stain on the reputation of the police. the police are apologizing profusely for their regrettable actions.

What I don't understand however, is why he was required to step outside of his home in order to produce id?

If you're going to arrest a man for B&E, ...arrest him where he stands. From what I've both seen and heard thus far, ...it appears the police have a significant amount of egg on their faces and a PR nightmare to deal with, all because of an unqualified police officer.

The Cambridge police commissioner yesterday stood firmly behind the sergeant who hauled away prominent African-American scholar Henry Louis Gates Jr. in cuffs last week, saying the arrest was “a last resort” that followed department policy and national standards.

Also yesterday, the Herald first reported online that Sgt. James Crowley, the 11-year Cambridge cop who made the arrest, instructs recruits at the Lowell Police Academy on how to avoid racial profiling.

“I believe that Sgt. Crowley acted in a way that is consistent with his training at the department and consistent with national standards,” said Cambridge Police Commissioner Robert Haas. “I do not believe his actions were in any way racially motivated . . . I think he did his best to de-escalate the situation.”

Nevertheless, Haas said he would form a panel of “independant, notable professionals to join in the analysis of the incident and make recommendations.

“This is an opportunity for us to rexamine our policies and procedures,” he said.

In an interview on the Dennis and Callahan show on WEEI-AM yesterday, Crowley described a play-by-play of the contentious bust. “He was arrested after following me outside the house and continuing the tirade after being warned several times,” Crowley said.

Explaining for the first time why he lured Gates out of his home, Crowley said he sought to protect himself and Gates from a potential intruder as he responded to a call for breaking and entering.

Crowley instructs a course on racial profiling in his free time, said Lowell Police Academy Director Thomas Fleming.

“He’s well versed in the subject matter he taught,” said Lawrence Hickman, a black Boston cop who has taught alongside Crowley at the academy.

Gates’ lawyer, Harvard professor Charles Ogletree, did not respond to a request for comment yesterday.

Meanwhile, Thomas Nee, president of the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association, called Crowley “more of an ambassador to peace and tranquility than Barack Obama,” adding, “my heart’s broken over this.”

[body88]

I have not been following the timeline of the story, ...however, the news as it is being reported up here, shows it as somewhat of a stain on the reputation of the police. the police are apologizing profusely for their regrettable actions.

What I don't understand however, is why he was required to step outside of his home in order to produce id?

If you're going to arrest a man for B&E, ...arrest him where he stands. From what I've both seen and heard thus far, ...it appears the police have a significant amount of egg on their faces and a PR nightmare to deal with, all because of an unqualified police officer.

Like every other critic, you don't know the facts.  The police are NOT apologizing profusely for their actions, anymore.  As all the facts come out, the officer who was stained by all of this looks like the good guy. Obviously you would ask someone to step out of a home if you were responding to a 911 call over breaking and entering.  Again, this neighborhood has been a hot spot for breakins over the last month.  The officer was following protocol.  Do you know that the officer who was involved in this teaches race relations courses for the police?  He's considered to be one of the best cops in the city.  Mr Gates lost control, and when he was arrested for acting like a crazy person, he pulled the race card.  Read the facts of the story and maybe you'll be educated on the situation.

I'm so sick of this bullshit.  Every time an African American does something wrong they pull the race card.  It makes me sick.

The Cambridge police commissioner yesterday stood firmly behind the sergeant who hauled away prominent African-American scholar Henry Louis Gates Jr. in cuffs last week, saying the arrest was “a last resort” that followed department policy and national standards.

Also yesterday, the Herald first reported online that Sgt. James Crowley, the 11-year Cambridge cop who made the arrest, instructs recruits at the Lowell Police Academy on how to avoid racial profiling.

“I believe that Sgt. Crowley acted in a way that is consistent with his training at the department and consistent with national standards,” said Cambridge Police Commissioner Robert Haas. “I do not believe his actions were in any way racially motivated . . . I think he did his best to de-escalate the situation.”

Nevertheless, Haas said he would form a panel of “independant, notable professionals to join in the analysis of the incident and make recommendations.

“This is an opportunity for us to rexamine our policies and procedures,” he said.

In an interview on the Dennis and Callahan show on WEEI-AM yesterday, Crowley described a play-by-play of the contentious bust. “He was arrested after following me outside the house and continuing the tirade after being warned several times,” Crowley said.

Explaining for the first time why he lured Gates out of his home, Crowley said he sought to protect himself and Gates from a potential intruder as he responded to a call for breaking and entering.

Crowley instructs a course on racial profiling in his free time, said Lowell Police Academy Director Thomas Fleming.

“He’s well versed in the subject matter he taught,” said Lawrence Hickman, a black Boston cop who has taught alongside Crowley at the academy.

Gates’ lawyer, Harvard professor Charles Ogletree, did not respond to a request for comment yesterday.

Meanwhile, Thomas Nee, president of the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association, called Crowley “more of an ambassador to peace and tranquility than Barack Obama,” adding, “my heart’s broken over this.”

[mass 04]

This racist and incompetent officer also gave CPR to Reggie Lewis when he collapsed at Brandeis. I wonder if Barry Obama will think police acted "stupidly" if a man is detained screaming and refusing to cooperate near the White House.

[splinterhands]

If he's famous, and he's known why do they need ID? Your words. Yeah, would you arrest Michael Jordan getting into his home...Or call for back up for a unknown, tall black man entering MJ's house.

The series that put him on the Map
http://www.pbs.org/wonders/BehindSc/behind.htm

If I responded to Michael Jordon's house being broken into and I saw Michael, no I wouldn't need an ID.  Depending on policy though I may be required to ID for the case number. I once had to ID a famous football coach at a seatbelt checkpoint.  I felt funny doing it, but it's part of the job.  He was white and complied, but if he was black I would still have ID'd him.  I wouldn't know Mr. Gates if I saw him, in fact I've never even heard of him before this and probably never will again.  He's only famous in the sense of stirring up racial relations in the name of equality.

It's not a race issue, except to the black professor.  The hatred toward the cops, even when they are trying to protect his house is the center of the issue.  Mr Gates is what is causing the race issue.  I promise you this exact thing happens thousands of times every night.  It may be a white man, white woman, Asian man, Asian woman, black man, black woman, or any other ethnic group of person.  The response will be the same, you ID the person, ask appropriate questions and wish them a good night.  It's only if the person refuses to cooperate with what is a possible crime in progress investigation that you have problems. 

I WOULD call for backup for a tall black man BREAKING into MJ's house.  I would also call for back up for a short white woman BREAKING into a house that a short white woman lives.  IT'S ONLY A RACE ISSUE WITH THOSE THAT BELIEVE THE COPS ARE OUT TO GET AFRICAN AMERICAN'S.





 

[Ex Coelis]

a guest on CNN called him "the Rosa Parks of racial profiling"

[24KT]

Like every other critic, you don't know the facts.  The police are NOT apologizing profusely for their actions, anymore.  As all the facts come out, the officer who was stained by all of this looks like the good guy. Obviously you would ask someone to step out of a home if you were responding to a 911 call over breaking and entering.  Again, this neighborhood has been a hot spot for breakins over the last month.  The officer was following protocol.  Do you know that the officer who was involved in this teaches race relations courses for the police?  He's considered to be one of the best cops in the city.  Mr Gates lost control, and when he was arrested for acting like a crazy person, he pulled the race card.  Read the facts of the story and maybe you'll be educated on the situation.

I'm so sick of this bullshit.  Every time an African American does something wrong they pull the race card.  It makes me sick.

Wow, ...I can see you're very passionate about this.
You're quoting my first comments made about this when I didn't know all the facts surrounding the case.

Now that I DO know all the facts, ...I STILL stand by my earlier assessment, that this is stupid.
As I've sated previously in subsequent posts to my first "The allegations of racism on the part of the police have yet to be established" ...however, what has been clearly established in my eyes, is the stupidity of the whole thing.
Obviously, the cop encountered a situation wherein he WAS NOT able to keep hostilities from escalating. He should have been able to handle such a routine matter. Once Crowley had him ID'd as being the owner of the house, ...end of story. Mind you, I'm making my assessment based upon Crowley's own report, as well as the supplemental report filed by Officer Figueroa.

If the allegations of so many Crowley supporters are correct (that Gates is positioning himself to be a Rodney King) then based on both police officer's reports, I believe Crowley was stupid to give Gates a platform for martyrdom.

There are times when there are simple things we can do to avert unecessary escalation of hostilities.
Police officers are supposed to be trained in these areas, ...yet it appears that everyone is expecting Gates to have been the one to comply in order to avert escalation.... but he's the one looking for martyrdom. Therefore, imo, it was stupid of Crowley to allow Gates to get the upper hand. He should have been prudent enough to take it away from him, denying him his opportunity for martyrdom. Let him call the police chief and make his allegations of racism. No one would give it a 2^nd glance because the officer was merely responding to a break-in call. But by refusing to provide his own name & badge #, adding fuel to this already volatile fire, and then to effect an arrest, after it had already been established that it was in fact his own home, was just plain stupid imo. Now the Cambridge police have a PR nightmare to deal with. Both he and his colleagues are being painted with a broad brush, ...Gates has a platform for martyrdom, ...and people are discussing it all over the continent.

Viewing it from this POV, ...can you see why I say this is just plain stupid... and Crowley was incompetent?

[24KT]

 IT'S ONLY A RACE ISSUE WITH THOSE THAT BELIEVE THE COPS ARE OUT TO GET AFRICAN AMERICAN'S.
 

...and let us not forget those who are extremely sensitive to charges of racism being levelled.

Sometimes such extreme sensitivity can cause us to focus only on that, and ignore the other facts in the situation.
Once we take the race issue out of the equation, ...it's hard not to come to the same conclusion. It was stupid.

[ToxicAvenger]

the officer should be castrated...

end of story n such future problems

[Ex Coelis]

the most confounding part of this story is that race never had ANYTHING to do with it

I don't understand how an objective person can see otherwise

instantly shouting racism showed an incredible lack of class on the professor's part

[body88]

the officer should be castrated...

end of story n such future problems

Great contribution, as always, your discrediting all the claims that you make about your intellect....

[splinterhands]

Once we take the race issue out of the equation, ...it's hard not to come to the same conclusion. It was stupid.

Mr. Gates was the one that put the race issue into it.  No police department wants to be associated with anything like this.  It's not stupid to ID someone when you respond to a house break in.  Mr. Gates is using, and has made a career of race issues.  This is the best thing that could have happened to him.

I'm not saying real race issues aren't out there, on both sides, because they are.  Mr. Gates is as racist as someone wearing a KKK hat.  The difference is that white racist groups are looked down on by 90+% of white people.  Black racist groups and those making a living off of dividing America for personal benefit are socially accepted and even looked at as leaders of the black community.  It's only when both sides realize that groups promoting one race over another are always wrong will we live in peace.

[Ex Coelis]

Mr. Gates was the one that put the race issue into it.  No police department wants to be associated with anything like this.  It's not stupid to ID someone when you respond to a house break in.  Mr. Gates is using, and has made a career of race issues.  This is the best thing that could have happened to him.

I'm not saying real race issues aren't out there, on both sides, because they are.  Mr. Gates is as racist as someone wearing a KKK hat.  The difference is that white racist groups are looked down on by 90+% of white people.  Black racist groups and those making a living off of dividing America for personal benefit are socially accepted and even looked at as leaders of the black community.  It's only when both sides realize that groups promoting one race over another are always wrong will we live in peace.

quoted for truth

[24KT]

Mr. Gates was the one that put the race issue into it.

As I stated previously, the charges of racism have yet to be established as having any validity.

No police department wants to be associated with anything like this.  It's not stupid to ID someone when you respond to a house break in.

In 1000% agreement with you there. However, once you have established the suspect as the lawful occupant, apologize for the inconvenience, wish them a nice day and be on your way. If he is irate, and wants to pursue the matter further with your superiors, ...show a little judgement, give him your name & badge number as he requests, and leave. Yes, the officer was doing his job by attending the call, however, peace officers know that in the process of doing their jobs they often can, do, and will, unwittingly inconvenience and irritate law abiding citizens, who may not cope well with the irritant. That's where training comes in. I truly believe the officer could have and SHOULD have contained the situation, WITHOUT having to effect an arrest. Everyone is talking about how warranted it is for the suspect to be ID'ed in the situation. That is not what's in question. Gates gave up his id. It was the cop who refused to give up his, ...an obligation he had to Gates as the lawful civilian occupant of the address attended. This is what further served to add fuel to Gates' fire. And I base this on Crowley's own police report.

Mr. Gates is using, and has made a career of race issues.  This is the best thing that could have happened to him.

If Gates is merely exploiting the situation, all the more reason why unecessarily providing him with such a platform was stupid, and completely avoidable.

Let's take this fictitious scenario. You encounter a man who has dropped of a heart attack. He's stopped breathing, and you have to administer mouth-to-mouth and CPR. After a few seconds, his heart starts beating again, and he comes to, realizing you've put your lips on his. Just your luck, ...the guy is a rampant homophobe who sees a homosexual agenda behind every rock. He starts screaming that the fact that you put your lips to his, means you're gay, and that you tried to sexually molest him while he was incapacitated. What do you do? Are you going to roll your eyes, give him your name & badge # so he can file his complaint, ...then hop in your cruiser drive off grateful the countdown clock is ticking away towards your pension... end your shift without having to file paperwork... grab a beer, and dream about the boat you'll sail around Chesapeake Bay during your retirement?...or do you instead do something stupid, like placing him under arrest, slapping the man face forward and spread eagle up against your cruiser, ...and with his hard rounded buttocks a mere few inches from your face, start running your hands up & down his legs, paying particularly close attention to his inner upper thigh area, carefully feeling, probing & squeezing his crotch to determine if he is indeed packing a large concealed weapon? 

(Oooooh, ...I just gave myself a tingle up my leg) {blush}

Do you bring him into the station, and then conduct a body cavity search... intimately probing his anus for possible contraband? Or do you see where perhaps following such procedure & protocol might serve to further irritate the man and bolster & re-inforce his impression that there is a homosexual agenda afoot and that you'd love nothing more than to savour his male fleshy bits?

He shouldn't have been arrested. Sometimes one has to know when to pick their battles,
...and in effecting this arrest, I don't believe Crowley made a good pick. It was just stupid.

Crowley's suppporters claim he is a supercop... with a distinguished career, and a credit to his profession. Fine.
Well everyone makes mistakes, ...even supercops. This was Crowley's mistake. Everyone gets one.
While he may not like the temperature of the water it has landed him in, he should at least be grateful.
In his line of work, mistakes can be deadly. Making one that only lands you in hot water, and gets you a subsequent invite to the White House to have a beer with the POTUS isn't gong to end your life. Chesapeake Bay and the schooner still lay ahead.

I'm not saying real race issues aren't out there, on both sides, because they are.  ... It's only when both sides realize that groups promoting one race over another are always wrong will we live in peace.

In 1000% agreement with you here. btw, ...have you ever been to Canada to see how we do things up here? 

[Tombo]

Yes im sure a lecturer who has to deal with a large room of students would have a problem voicing his opinion

ridiculous idea

fucking race card lol

[body88]

As I stated previously, the charges of racism have yet to be established as having any validity.

In 1000% agreement with you there. However, once you have established the suspect as the lawful occupant, apologize for the inconvenience, wish them a nice day and be on your way. If he is irate, and wants to pursue the matter further with your superiors, ...show a little judgement, give him your name & badge number as he requests, and leave. Yes, the officer was doing his job by attending the call, however, peace officers know that in the process of doing their jobs they often can, do, and will, unwittingly inconvenience and irritate law abiding citizens, who may not cope well with the irritant. That's where training comes in. I truly believe the officer could have and SHOULD have contained the situation, WITHOUT having to effect an arrest. Everyone is talking about how warranted it is for the suspect to be ID'ed in the situation. That is not what's in question. Gates gave up his id. It was the cop who refused to give up his, ...an obligation he had to Gates as the lawful civilian occupant of the address attended. This is what further served to add fuel to Gates' fire. And I base this on Crowley's own police report.

If Gates is merely exploiting the situation, all the more reason why unecessarily providing him with such a platform was stupid, and completely avoidable.

Let's take this fictitious scenario. You encounter a man who has dropped of a heart attack. He's stopped breathing, and you have to administer mouth-to-mouth and CPR. After a few seconds, his heart starts beating again, and he comes to, realizing you've put your lips on his. Just your luck, ...the guy is a rampant homophobe who sees a homosexual agenda behind every rock. He starts screaming that the fact that you put your lips to his, means you're gay, and that you tried to sexually molest him while he was incapacitated. What do you do? Are you going to roll your eyes, give him your name & badge # so he can file his complaint, ...then hop in your cruiser drive off grateful the countdown clock is ticking away towards your pension... end your shift without having to file paperwork... grab a beer, and dream about the boat you'll sail around Chesapeake Bay during your retirement?...or do you instead do something stupid, like placing him under arrest, slapping the man face forward and spread eagle up against your cruiser, ...and with his hard rounded buttocks a mere few inches from your face, start running your hands up & down his legs, paying particularly close attention to his inner upper thigh area, carefully feeling, probing & squeezing his crotch to determine if he is indeed packing a large concealed weapon? 

(Oooooh, ...I just gave myself a tingle up my leg) {blush}

Do you bring him into the station, and then conduct a body cavity search... intimately probing his anus for possible contraband? Or do you see where perhaps following such procedure & protocol might serve to further irritate the man and bolster & re-inforce his impression that there is a homosexual agenda afoot and that you'd love nothing more than to savour his male fleshy bits?

He shouldn't have been arrested. Sometimes one has to know when to pick their battles,
...and in effecting this arrest, I don't believe Crowley made a good pick. It was just stupid.

Crowley's suppporters claim he is a supercop... with a distinguished career, and a credit to his profession. Fine.
Well everyone makes mistakes, ...even supercops. This was Crowley's mistake. Everyone gets one.
While he may not like the temperature of the water it has landed him in, he should at least be grateful.
In his line of work, mistakes can be deadly. Making one that only lands you in hot water, and gets you a subsequent invite to the White House to have a beer with the POTUS isn't gong to end your life. Chesapeake Bay and the schooner still lay ahead.

In 1000% agreement with you here. btw, ...have you ever been to Canada to see how we do things up here? 

This is one long winded excuse for a man who lost control and was arrested because he acted like an elitist, disorderly, coward.  Your post is litered with inaccurate statements.  Do us all a favor, and read up on the case before you spew your garbage.  Btw, Crowley was called a "supercop" by many of his ethnic peers.  Whats your excuse for when Crowley asked Gates to step outside to talk to him, and Gates responded with: I'll step outside with your momma?  You nor I have the right to act like a total asshole when someone is trying to do their job and respond to a 911 call.  Who the fuck does Gates think he is?  Gates was arrested because of his own behavior.  Because he started screaming and yelling and refusing to comply with Crowley's requests.  Your just another excuse maker that thinks that the police are ALWAYS at fault

[24KT]

This is one long winded excuse for a man who lost control and was arrested because he acted like an elitist, disorderly, coward.  Your post is litered with inaccurate statements.

Please point out my inaccuracies for me.

Do us all a favor, and read up on the case before you spew your garbage.  Btw, Crowley was called a "supercop" by many of his ethnic peers.

Did I say he was NOT a supercop? I think within my post I acknowledge this.
And while we're on the subject, ...what is an "ethnic" peer? Do you not see the absurdity there?
Your comment implies whites are not "ethnics". We ALL have ethnicities.

Whats your excuse for when Crowley asked Gates to step outside to talk to him, and Gates responded with: I'll step outside with your momma?

  What's MY excuse? Dude, I don't need an excuse. I never uttered those words.
As for Gates, ...I'd say he was a rude arrogant idiot. Is that an arrestable offense. If so... watch your ass!

You nor I have the right to act like a total asshole when someone is trying to do their job and respond to a 911 call.

We do in our own home.

Who the fuck does Gates think he is?  Gates was arrested because of his own behavior.  Because he started screaming and yelling and refusing to comply with Crowley's requests.  Your just another excuse maker that thinks that the police are ALWAYS at fault

Nah, ...I respect the police, ...I just think this could have been handled a bit better. I think the arrest was stupid, and not worth all the controversy it brought.