Sergeant at eye of storm says he won't apologize

[Anguille]

In the given situation I would agree that Gates could have been more co operative.

He is not obligated however, to be co operative with unreasonable request. He is required to give his name and address. That's it. If the cop is still suspicious, he can go do his cop work and gather some evidence that would give him a reason to believe the man is not who he says he is. Until then he has a reason to think otherwise, it's just a cop taking the easy way out rather than obeying the law and observing the man's rights. Sure, Gates could have appeased the cop, but he was under no obligation to. So, the cop used force in order to find out that there was nothing out of the ordinary going on. .....what's that you say? It required force to figure out that everyhting was OK? that is what betrays the officers conduct.

I agree that Gates had the right to refuse to show ID. That he did anyway is to his credit. I would have treated the matter differently and made a formal complaint. But nothing that Gates did warranted arrest. It's clear that the officer knew Gates was who he said he was. A complete waste of tax payer money.

Have you read the report?

Now, I could be wrong, but I believe if you refuse to show your id to the cops, they have the right to arrest you until they discover your identity. Plus, he had a call about a break in, if Gates refused to show his id, the cop had every right to arrest him until his identity could be determined, that's the cops job. Do you really think that if someone sees you break into your own home and calls the cops that you have the right to refuse to show id and you won't get arrested?

Gates keep YELLING at the cop. He was beligerant and he refused to back down. His conduct was disorderly and that's why he was arrested. Had he not been a Harvard prof with friends in high places, he'd most likely still be in jail.

Gates showed his ID. There was no question of his identity and that he was in his own home.

 

[Lonestar_logic]

There is no evidence that the cop is a racist, only that he abused his authority. Plenty of cops get called names. It's part of their training not to let their buttons get pushed. This cop had a weak moment. The charges were dropped so obviously his superiors thought so also.

How exactly did he abuse his authority?

Lying that Gates was following him to his car when the photo shows Gates handcuffed just outside his door. You don't go around arresting people because they piss you off. Gates did not break any laws and he was no threat to anybody. The cop also also refused to show ID. When cops are out of order and you ask them that, they don't like it.

The photo was AFTER the arrest, AFTER Gates followed him outsdie to his car. Were you born stupid or have you been working at it your whole life?

 

[Sweet Willy]

In this case I think the cop had a good reason to ask for ID. The house had been called in as a possible burglary in progress and Gates approximately fit the description of the suspects. That the cop then refused to show his own ID is inexcusable.

In the given situation I would agree that Gates could have been more co operative.

He is not obligated however, to be co operative with unreasonable request. He is required to give his name and address. That's it. If the cop is still suspicious, he can go do his cop work and gather some evidence that would give him a reason to believe the man is not who he says he is. Until then he has a reason to think otherwise, it's just a cop taking the easy way out rather than obeying the law and observing the man's rights. Sure, Gates could have appeased the cop, but he was under no obligation to. So, the cop used force in order to find out that there was nothing out of the ordinary going on. .....what's that you say? It required force to figure out that everyhting was OK? that is what betrays the officers conduct.

unreal ^

"I didn't know who [Gates] was. I was by myself. I was the only police officer standing there, and I got a report of people breaking into a house," Crowley told WEEI. "That was for my safety first and foremost. I have to go home at night, I have three beautiful children and a wife who depend on me. So I had no other motive than to ensure my safety."

Officer says he'll 'never apologize' for Harvard professor arrest - CNN.com

It is difficult to tell, as we don't the information about how the situation was escalated. Did Gates say "hey, this is my house, the door is just jammed"? Could the officer see that he had a key? Did Gates driver just stand there silent or did he confirm "this is Mr. Gates and this is his house."?

How the fuck do we get around to someone being arrested for disorderly conduct at their own house?

It's always a pretty good clue that if nothing was wrong or out of order before the cops showed up and in the end someone has been arrested.....well.....nothing was wrong until you got here.

 

[Dante]

"...the confrontation had inspired the Harvard professor to consider making a documentary about racial profiling."


Spike Lee could make millions, all the dumbass kool-aid drinkers will go see it.

Officer at eye of storm says he won’t apologize - The Boston Globe

What charges did the cop arrest and book Skip Gates on?

Disorderly conduct.

trumped up and stupid. It sounds like an excuse charge needed to show who the boss is.

Cop should've left an upset man in his home. Instead it loooks like he let his bruised ego justify arresting an irate, but innocent man

 

[ABikerSailor]

First thing............who the fuck was the douchebag neighbor who didn't know their own neighbor, and called the cops because they thought someone was breaking in? I mean....kudos to the person for watching out, but for fuck's sake........at least know who you live next to!

Next.........Gates DID show his Harvard ID to the cops, but, because the fucking officer was too tuned in to making a bust, he ignored it and arrested him. Kind of the same thing with seeing a black man driving a Mercedes and getting pulled over for stealing, even though the dude owns it.

And.......the police had to get Gates to come out of his house, otherwise they would have needed to get a search warrant. My personal opinion? Gates should have made them get a warrant and made 'em look like arrogant assholes.

Bottom line? The fucking officer needs to re-examine his procedures and get a fucking clue. If he can't figure out how to follow procedure, rather than his own idiot bias, then he needs to get a new job.

Preferably rodeo clown.

Oh yeah.........I know about these things as I was a member of the Naval Security Force in Newport RI at the War College. This fucking officer needs a suspension for a month (at the least), or a job as a sperm washer at the local porn theater.

 

[Sweet Willy]

In the given situation I would agree that Gates could have been more co operative.

He is not obligated however, to be co operative with unreasonable request. He is required to give his name and address. That's it. If the cop is still suspicious, he can go do his cop work and gather some evidence that would give him a reason to believe the man is not who he says he is. Until then he has a reason to think otherwise, it's just a cop taking the easy way out rather than obeying the law and observing the man's rights. Sure, Gates could have appeased the cop, but he was under no obligation to. So, the cop used force in order to find out that there was nothing out of the ordinary going on. .....what's that you say? It required force to figure out that everyhting was OK? that is what betrays the officers conduct.

I agree that Gates had the right to refuse to show ID. That he did anyway is to his credit. I would have treated the matter differently and made a formal complaint. But nothing that Gates did warranted arrest. It's clear that the officer knew Gates was who he said he was. A complete waste of tax payer money.

Have you read the report?

Now, I could be wrong, but I believe if you refuse to show your id to the cops, they have the right to arrest you until they discover your identity. Plus, he had a call about a break in, if Gates refused to show his id, the cop had every right to arrest him until his identity could be determined, that's the cops job. Do you really think that if someone sees you break into your own home and calls the cops that you have the right to refuse to show id and you won't get arrested?

Gates keep YELLING at the cop. He was beligerant and he refused to back down. His conduct was disorderly and that's why he was arrested. Had he not been a Harvard prof with friends in high places, he'd most likely still be in jail.

You are wrong on several levels. You are not required to produce ID. You are required to give your name. It is not a cops job to arrest people form the purpose of identification. That is pretty bizzare. They only arrest people when they have evidence that they have committed a crime. As we can see, Gates was not arrested for breaking in, failure to show ID or assualt or anything except "disorderly conduct".

A police officer has no right to demand ID, especially at my home. If he has reasonable cause to believe that I am a criminal, he can arrest me.

This whole idea that a cop has the right to demand ID is retarded. But MANY people think that's the way it is. Welcome to fascism.

 

[Lonestar_logic]

I agree that Gates had the right to refuse to show ID. That he did anyway is to his credit. I would have treated the matter differently and made a formal complaint. But nothing that Gates did warranted arrest. It's clear that the officer knew Gates was who he said he was. A complete waste of tax payer money.

Have you read the report?

Now, I could be wrong, but I believe if you refuse to show your id to the cops, they have the right to arrest you until they discover your identity. Plus, he had a call about a break in, if Gates refused to show his id, the cop had every right to arrest him until his identity could be determined, that's the cops job. Do you really think that if someone sees you break into your own home and calls the cops that you have the right to refuse to show id and you won't get arrested?

Gates keep YELLING at the cop. He was beligerant and he refused to back down. His conduct was disorderly and that's why he was arrested. Had he not been a Harvard prof with friends in high places, he'd most likely still be in jail.

Gates showed his ID. There was no question of his identity and that he was in his own home.

It would behoove you to read all the reports again. You will clearly see ( but then again maybe not) that Gates was asked three times to show ID, the third time he complied. Satisfied the cop was leaving, Gates having already hurled epitaphs and threats proceeded to follow the cop outside where he (Gates) was warned several times about his conduct, warnings he did not heed, therefore the only recourse the officer had was to place the idiot under arrest.

I tried typing slow so as not to confuse you. I hope that helped.

 

[Anguille]

How exactly did he abuse his authority?

Lying that Gates was following him to his car when the photo shows Gates handcuffed just outside his door. You don't go around arresting people because they piss you off. Gates did not break any laws and he was no threat to anybody. The cop also also refused to show ID. When cops are out of order and you ask them that, they don't like it.

The photo was AFTER the arrest, AFTER Gates followed him outsdie to his car. Were you born stupid or have you been working at it your whole life?

How did he get from the car back up onto his porch if he had been arrested at the car? How was he a threat to the officer by standing on his own porch? I don't think he ever was off his own porch till after he was arrested.

 

[Lonestar_logic]

I agree that Gates had the right to refuse to show ID. That he did anyway is to his credit. I would have treated the matter differently and made a formal complaint. But nothing that Gates did warranted arrest. It's clear that the officer knew Gates was who he said he was. A complete waste of tax payer money.

Have you read the report?

Now, I could be wrong, but I believe if you refuse to show your id to the cops, they have the right to arrest you until they discover your identity. Plus, he had a call about a break in, if Gates refused to show his id, the cop had every right to arrest him until his identity could be determined, that's the cops job. Do you really think that if someone sees you break into your own home and calls the cops that you have the right to refuse to show id and you won't get arrested?

Gates keep YELLING at the cop. He was beligerant and he refused to back down. His conduct was disorderly and that's why he was arrested. Had he not been a Harvard prof with friends in high places, he'd most likely still be in jail.

You are wrong on several levels. You are not required to produce ID. You are required to give your name. It is not a cops job to arrest people form the purpose of identification. That is pretty bizzare. They only arrest people when they have evidence that they have committed a crime. As we can see, Gates was not arrested for breaking in, failure to show ID or assualt or anything except "disorderly conduct".

A police officer has no right to demand ID, especially at my home. If he has reasonable cause to believe that I am a criminal, he can arrest me.

This whole idea that a cop has the right to demand ID is retarded. But MANY people think that's the way it is. Welcome to fascism.

So you'd rather be arrested for not providing proof that you are who you say you are.

 

[Dante]

The officer is N-O-T being asked to apologize for being a racist. He is (by my understanding) being asked to apologize for arresting a citizen who it was later determined was to ahve all charges against him---dropped---in the interest of justice(I suppose)

------

Have any of you idiots ever been on Ware St.? hahahahaha, I think the cop is exaggerating things in order to justify a charge. Ware St. might as well be student housing. Gates used to live on the other side of the campus with his wife, behind Julia Child's house. That might as well be Staff housing. I bet the cops would've had a different attitude had Skip been at his old home. I would bet much on this...having lived down teh street and witnessing how class determines a Police Depts policies

 

[Anguille]

Have you read the report?

Now, I could be wrong, but I believe if you refuse to show your id to the cops, they have the right to arrest you until they discover your identity. Plus, he had a call about a break in, if Gates refused to show his id, the cop had every right to arrest him until his identity could be determined, that's the cops job. Do you really think that if someone sees you break into your own home and calls the cops that you have the right to refuse to show id and you won't get arrested?

Gates keep YELLING at the cop. He was beligerant and he refused to back down. His conduct was disorderly and that's why he was arrested. Had he not been a Harvard prof with friends in high places, he'd most likely still be in jail.

Gates showed his ID. There was no question of his identity and that he was in his own home.

It would behoove you to read all the reports again. You will clearly see ( but then again maybe not) that Gates was asked three times to show ID, the third time he complied. Satisfied the cop was leaving, Gates having already hurled epitaphs and threats proceeded to follow the cop outside where he (Gates) was warned several times about his conduct, warnings he did not heed, therefore the only recourse the officer had was to place the idiot under arrest.

I tried typing slow so as not to confuse you. I hope that helped.

You seem to be getting agitated. I think I shall have to place you under arrest.

And charge you with stupidity.

 

[Sweet Willy]

What charges did the cop arrest and book Skip Gates on?

Disorderly conduct.

trumped up and stupid. It sounds like an excuse charge needed to show who the boss is.

Cop should've left an upset man in his home. Instead it loooks like he let his bruised ego justify arresting an irate, but innocent man

Exactly. I am inclined to believe that if a testy old white dude had told this cop to "get the fuck off my lawn" we would have the same incident, minus the racism accusations.

It never ceases to amaze me how many people will line up to defend what a cop does to people on their own property.

The only problem was a jammed door. Then the cops came. From there, we end with a man arrested at his own home. Yeah....someone fucked up all right.

 

[Lonestar_logic]

Lying that Gates was following him to his car when the photo shows Gates handcuffed just outside his door. You don't go around arresting people because they piss you off. Gates did not break any laws and he was no threat to anybody. The cop also also refused to show ID. When cops are out of order and you ask them that, they don't like it.

The photo was AFTER the arrest, AFTER Gates followed him outsdie to his car. Were you born stupid or have you been working at it your whole life?

How did he get from the car back up onto his porch if he had been arrested at the car? How was he a threat to the officer by standing on his own porch? I don't think he ever was off his own porch till after he was arrested.

"How did he get from the car back up onto his porch if he had been arrested at the car?"

He walked.

"How was he a threat to the officer by standing on his own porch?"

I never said he was a threat, I did say he threatened the officer, those facts are in evidence. Simply read the report.

" I don't think he ever was off his own porch till after he was arrested"

That's part of your problem, you "don't think".

If yuo had read the reports, you would have known that Gates was not IN his house or ON his porch when he was arrested.

 

[Lonestar_logic]

Gates showed his ID. There was no question of his identity and that he was in his own home.

It would behoove you to read all the reports again. You will clearly see ( but then again maybe not) that Gates was asked three times to show ID, the third time he complied. Satisfied the cop was leaving, Gates having already hurled epitaphs and threats proceeded to follow the cop outside where he (Gates) was warned several times about his conduct, warnings he did not heed, therefore the only recourse the officer had was to place the idiot under arrest.

I tried typing slow so as not to confuse you. I hope that helped.

You seem to be getting agitated. I think I shall have to place you under arrest.

And charge you with stupidity.

If stupidity was a crime they would have locked your dumbass up a long time ago. Oh and I'm not at all agitated, I think people such as yourself are worth a few laughs every now and then. Though I am sometimes saddened by the ignorance some of you people exhibit.

 

[Lonestar_logic]

My apologies to Againsheila for horning in on her conversation.

 

[Sweet Willy]

Have you read the report?

Now, I could be wrong, but I believe if you refuse to show your id to the cops, they have the right to arrest you until they discover your identity. Plus, he had a call about a break in, if Gates refused to show his id, the cop had every right to arrest him until his identity could be determined, that's the cops job. Do you really think that if someone sees you break into your own home and calls the cops that you have the right to refuse to show id and you won't get arrested?

Gates keep YELLING at the cop. He was beligerant and he refused to back down. His conduct was disorderly and that's why he was arrested. Had he not been a Harvard prof with friends in high places, he'd most likely still be in jail.

You are wrong on several levels. You are not required to produce ID. You are required to give your name. It is not a cops job to arrest people form the purpose of identification. That is pretty bizzare. They only arrest people when they have evidence that they have committed a crime. As we can see, Gates was not arrested for breaking in, failure to show ID or assualt or anything except "disorderly conduct".

A police officer has no right to demand ID, especially at my home. If he has reasonable cause to believe that I am a criminal, he can arrest me.

This whole idea that a cop has the right to demand ID is retarded. But MANY people think that's the way it is. Welcome to fascism.

So you'd rather be arrested for not providing proof that you are who you say you are.

That's the point: I do not have to prove anything to anyone. There is no requirement that you have to do anything other than give your name (and address I think). It's not incumbent upon any of us to continuously provide proof to every cop who asks, who we are. If he doesn't believe you, and he must have a reasonable cause not to, he can detain you for a reasonable amount of time and do his best to prove you are someone other than who you say you are. But he sure as hell doesn't get to arrest you or keep you indefintely. If I say I am Bozo Fartman then that's who I am unless you can prove otherwise.

 

[Dante]

Incredible restraint he showed in NOT using it don't you think!!

Further proof that the officer in question is not a racist?

Ya gotta wonder. Does a person get more mad at being called a racist when he really is one or when he really isn't one?

Why wonder that? Obviously most of the idjits here have never had to deal with Boston/Cambridge Irish Cops.

 

[Againsheila]

I agree that Gates had the right to refuse to show ID. That he did anyway is to his credit. I would have treated the matter differently and made a formal complaint. But nothing that Gates did warranted arrest. It's clear that the officer knew Gates was who he said he was. A complete waste of tax payer money.

Have you read the report?

Now, I could be wrong, but I believe if you refuse to show your id to the cops, they have the right to arrest you until they discover your identity. Plus, he had a call about a break in, if Gates refused to show his id, the cop had every right to arrest him until his identity could be determined, that's the cops job. Do you really think that if someone sees you break into your own home and calls the cops that you have the right to refuse to show id and you won't get arrested?

Gates keep YELLING at the cop. He was beligerant and he refused to back down. His conduct was disorderly and that's why he was arrested. Had he not been a Harvard prof with friends in high places, he'd most likely still be in jail.

Gates showed his ID. There was no question of his identity and that he was in his own home.

You said that Gage had the right to refuse to show ID, are you changing your story? Or just being dense?

 

[Againsheila]

My apologies to Againsheila for horning in on her conversation.

No problems, it's a public forum...and you said it well.

 

[Againsheila]

The officer is N-O-T being asked to apologize for being a racist. He is (by my understanding) being asked to apologize for arresting a citizen who it was later determined was to ahve all charges against him---dropped---in the interest of justice(I suppose)

------

Have any of you idiots ever been on Ware St.? hahahahaha, I think the cop is exaggerating things in order to justify a charge. Ware St. might as well be student housing. Gates used to live on the other side of the campus with his wife, behind Julia Child's house. That might as well be Staff housing. I bet the cops would've had a different attitude had Skip been at his old home. I would bet much on this...having lived down teh street and witnessing how class determines a Police Depts policies

You might have a point, if there were not witnesses.

Wonder why the media hasn't interviewed Gate's neighbors who apparently came out of their homes to watch the specticle, having heard Gates yelling?