The controversy surrounding last week's arrest of the black Harvard professor in his home is escalating, with President Obama saying the police acted "stupidly" and that racial profiling is a problem, and the Cambridge Police Department standing behind their colleague, saying the officer followed standard procedure and that Professor Henry Louis Gates was uncooperative and belligerent.
Meanwhile, the police report has been posted online. Here's a summary of the report, which can be read in full by clicking here.
Officer James Crowley wrote that the July 16 incident began with his response to a call from a neighbor regarding two black males who appeared to be breaking into a house. He arrived on scene, and saw Gates standing inside his house, watching the officer from behind the front door. Crowley wrote that when he asked Gates to step outside, Gates refused, and that when Crowley told Gates he was investigating a possible break-in at the residence, Gates responded, "Why, because I'm a black man in America?"
The report goes on to say that Gates soon began shouting at Crowley, calling him a racist. Crowley wrote that when asked for ID, Gates initially refused, but eventually provided a Harvard University ID badge.
Crowley said he eventually went outside, where a small crowd had assembled. He wrote that Gates followed him outside and "continued to yell at me, accusing me of racial bias." Crowley wrote that Gates repeatedly told Crowley that he was messing with the wrong man.
Crowley wrote that, once outside, he twice warned Gates to calm down or he would be arrested for disorderly conduct.
"Gates again ignored my warning and continued to yell at me," he wrote. "It was at this time that I informed Gates that he was under arrest."
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Police Report Made Public in Arrest of Black Harvard Professor Henry Gates
Rob Kuznia--HispanicBusiness.com
Source: HispanicBusiness.com (c) 2009. All rights reserved
Total Comments: 15 | Pending Comments: 0
Peter
10/10/2009 7:19:50 PM PST
When are all you people going to understand that police are bunch of liars. Do you actually think the sgt. is going to tell what really went on. The wagons are in a circle.
They lie on the stand in courts. Wake up.
moka
8/1/2009 11:29:31 AM PST
I would like to know why Mr. Gates acted out of order when he is a professor. There are neighborhoods around this country in which the police get there whenever they can. Also, why did he continue to call this officer a racist when he is the one who has all these high degrees. Did he think he could just start acting out with out being arrested? I am african american and I agree with the officer. If young men of different races can be arrested for disorderly conduct, he should be arrested too. He is the one who acted "stupidly". I think with his age and experience that he could handled this situation a lot better by himself.
coolfl33
7/30/2009 3:00:34 PM PST
Officer Crawley didn't stand a chance.
He's labeled a racist no matter what the situation was.
If there had actually been a black man breaking into Professor Gates' home and Officer Crawley arrested him Officer Crawley would still be labeled a Racist.
To me that says it all.
coolfl33
7/30/2009 2:51:15 PM PST
Simple Solution to this problem -
Only black./hispanic cops will patrol and police black/hispanic neighborhoods and
Office Crawley did not accuse Professor "Racist" of breaking into his ownhom. He said he was investigating a report of a break in.
If Officer Crawley had been black would Professor Gates have called him a racist?
If a black/hispanic officer kills an unarmed black/hispanic teenager, is he a racist?
If a black/hispanic man is arrested and accued of a crime but it was another black/hispanic man is that racial profiling?
Whats going to happen when a White cop comes up on a situation when a black/hispanic man is attacking a black/hispanic woman and the officer is too scared to do his job because he is scared he will be labeled a racist?
bobSanAntonio
7/27/2009 10:53:59 AM PST
It seems that Mr. Gates should take a sensitivity course to avoid future racist behavior when he sees a WHITE police officer instead of just a police officer.
Let's see, a police officer came to protect my house. He put his life at potential risk by confronting a suspect that was described to him AND the officer was told there was more than one suspect! I would have identified myself, thanked the officer, thanked the neighbor and explained that I can understand why it would look suspicious when someone sees men trying to force open the front door. But then I am not a racist and do not go through life looking for proof that I am a victim.
If nobody else said it, Thank You Officer for your quick response, patience and dedication.
The Citizen
7/24/2009 6:21:35 PM PST
Folks, get a clue. The Cambridge officer voted for Obama. Does that tell you anything? Let's not forget, a cane can be used as a weapon. Mr. Gates is lucky he didn't find himself looking down the barrel of a gun and hand cuffed on the floor. There are too many potential outcomes to be critical of the responding officer. We, the President, and Mr. Gates should thankful that a trained professional handled the situation. If an "average Joe" or concerned neighbor had been in the officer's place, we'd probably be reading about an unfortunate shooting. Officers face live or die situations and very few have the knowledge, authority, or experience to question the actions of these public servants. Why don't you ask a black officer what he would have done?
The Citizen
7/24/2009 5:56:05 PM PST
First of all, neither you nor the President should be commenting on the situation. We, they weren't there. I'm surprised the officer didn't draw his side arm and force Mr. Gate, suspected perpetrator, to the ground. I have a family member who is an officer and their policy is safety first, secure the crime scene, and then sort out the facts. What if there really were burglars still in the home? What if Mr. Gates was unaware of this? My family member made it clear to me that if a SUSPECTED PERPETRATOR or unidentified person found at a reported crime scene becomes uncooperative and hostile, they will be ordered to lie face down and cuffed if necessary. It was the officer's training, experience, insight into racial profile that kept the situation from getting out of hand.
jones
7/24/2009 10:30:09 AM PST
Everyone can agree if Mr. Gates had been caucasian with a cane in his own home this would not have happened. Secondly, does anyone think it was odd for a neighbor to call the police if Mr. Gates, in this affluent neighborhood was only black in the neighborhood? You would think they would know who he is. Lastly, I understand the Sgt Crowley has taught racial profiling classes. If this is the case, wouldn't you think he would know how to diffuse the situation and have empathy and understand how a man feels being questioned in his own home after he has shown proof it is his home. I believe Crowley became angry when Gates called him a racist in front of the crowd and arrested him. You have to be a person of color to really understand this. White people will not have the same opinion.
billdubya
7/24/2009 8:25:34 AM PST
At a time when ICE is kicking in doors of Hispanic households at night and detaining
citizens and legal residents because they "look illegal", and when people are being assaulted and arrested in the South because they "look Mexican", even when they are from Europe are the Middle East, the police have to be held to a high standard. There is no excuse for arresting a 60+ year-old man who needs a cane to walk after he has proven that he is inside his own home, even if he is loud and obnoxious. If loudness and obnoxiousness were crimes, Rush Limbaugh would be doing life.
MGonzalez
7/24/2009 5:54:51 AM PST
I am appalled at Prof. Gates behavior. How come such a brillian man has the common sense of a gnat? As a former police officer with over 12 years of experience, I responded to hundreds of similar calls. I never, ever allowed anyone one on the property until and after a complete check of the premises was conducted to ensure the safety of the home occupants and verification of the person(s) claiming to be the home owner or home occupant.
Did I face people with a chip on their shoulders that made my job a bit more difficult? You bet. But just like Sgt. Crawley of the Cambridge Police Dpt, I follow departmental policies and my judgement was never, ever question.
President Obama should of decline to make any comments based on his friendship with Prof. Gates.
cat4554
7/24/2009 4:42:52 AM PST
Yes, I think President Obama made a very bias statement. I voted for him yet I am very disappointed in his comment.
stod 1
7/23/2009 12:28:35 PM PST
One timer will never be stopped or approached by a police standing at their door. Why would a police person be standing at my door asking me who am I. If an officer can't defuse the situation maybe the officer need to allow someone else to step up and take the point. I think PRESIDENT OBAMA can make a statement like the police did act "STUPIDLY"; we all make comments about our rights as "AMERICAN CITIZENS". One timer also asked "Don't you think the president of the united states should have all the facts before addressing something like this to the nation?" I think the United States as a whole need to hear it from the horses mouth " everything in America is not right and some of us need to open our doors and stop relying on our neighbors comments and start looking for our own".
KBrown
7/23/2009 12:16:17 PM PST
No, if you have ever been harassed by the police then you would understand how insulting it is to be accused of breaking into a house that you lived in for i believe it was 12 years! This is an outrage the police officer did act stupidly and should have his job taken. This wouldn't have happened if he was white. He 's an older black man that walks with a cane, how and why would he be breaking into a house. Don't the police have some kind of computer system that tell them who lives where? Couldn't they have looked up that information while they were in route to the seen? Besides they were in Mass. everyone black knows that Mass. is one of the most racist states in America. I think Obama was right to back Dr. Gates, no longer will we stand for racism on any level
hertime
7/23/2009 11:48:54 AM PST
I am disappointed in the president for his presumptuous public response, which have become a lightening rod in this case. Agree he should have stayed silent about it. I am also disappointed in Mr. Gates' reaction. Here is a very privileged professor throwing his weight around and immediately using race to define a situation where an officer was calmly responding to a call about suspicious behavior. Although I consider myself quite liberal, I find myself defending the police officer for doing his job and trying to protect Mr. Gates' home. This is not good for the image of blacks in America. Cooler heads should have prevailed.
one timer
7/23/2009 10:15:11 AM PST
according to this aritcle and the statements regarding the police report and henry louis gates behavior; at no time did the police officer act outside his legal obligation to serve and protect. He should have been arrested for acting so foolishly.
PRESIDENT OBAMA is quick to say the police acted "STUPIDLY." He did also say that he didn't have all the facts. Don't you think the president of the united states should have all the facts before addressing something like this to the nation?
