A Shameful Lack of Professionalism

Remember, I'm speaking from PERSONAL KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE & TRAINING.

When you're dealing with an elderly black man, such as Prof. Henry Louis Gates, living alone who has proven he belongs where he is and has explained why he had to use the measures he used to get into his home; taking in the totality of the circumstances, there was really no reason to dig deeper. Even if he - AS A CITIZEN was irrate; THAT'S HIS RIGHT.

This officer, Sgt. James Crowley is no rookie just out of the academy. He's a Sergeant - A SUPERVISOR - A BOSS. He is the man who is supposed to be setting the example. If there are other officers on the scene, his word is often the last word if need be.

As police, we are trained to deal with angry citizens. Some may be mad for legitimate reasons, while most others are bitching & moaning just because. In any case, it is the officer's duty & responsibility to remain professional and if possible, avoid & diffuse an unnecessary confrontation. In short, the Sergeant should have been professional enough to walk away. He should have been professional enough to give Prof. Gates his name & badge number and then keep it moving. Instead, whatever Prof. Gates may have said to him, he allowed his buttons to be pushed and in order to show that he was going to have the last word and show Prof. Gates who was in charge, Sgt. Crowley arrested Gates.

I can guarantee you that had I arrested a white professor from Rutgers University under similar circumstances, I would be looking at some SERIOUS time off WITHOUT PAY.

However, as is often the case with MANY (not all) cops, their authority will not be challenged. On paper, Gates was arrested for "disorderly conduct." In reality, he was arrested for a "universal" charge that's primarily off the books ... P.O.P. "Pissing Off the Police!" Sgt. Gates has already stated that no matter what he would not apologize to Prof. Gates. The reality is that he CANNOT apologize to Gates. Whether or not he knows or believes that he was wrong, he cannot change course. He has to stand by what he did otherwise by apologizing, he admits that he was wrong and opnes himself up to what will eventually become a serious lawsuit. In the end the city of Cambridge will give Prof. Gates a NICE settlement.

Nothing has changed in this country.