Well, at least someone is sticking up for Sgt. James Crowley of the Cambridge Police Department.
Police unions in both Cambridge and across the Charles River in Boston are speaking up in support of Sgt. Crowley.
Jim Carnell, a union representative for the Boston Police Patrolmen's Association, put it this way:
The officer's mindset when is going in there is 'why was he breaking down the door?' Maybe there is a restraining order in place. Maybe Harvard University, who owns the house, changed the locks for some reason. The officer's job is to make sure everything is on the up-and-up.
Mr. Gates should be grateful that the police responded and explained himself with some civil discourse. It would have ended there. Instead, his arrogant, combative behavior gave the cops cause to wonder that something else going on.
Hugh Cameron, President of the Massachusetts Coalition of Police, put it more succinctly. Cameron said, "Sergeant Crowley was carrying out his duty as a law enforcement officer protecting the property of Professor Gates and he was accused of being a racist. The situation would have been over in five minutes if Professor Gates cooperated with the officer."
But Professor Gates didn't want it over in five minutes. Gates is pondering the possibility of bring forth a lawsuit against Crowley, the City of Cambridge and the Cambridge Police Department.
To quote the late Sonny Bono, "The beat goes on."
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
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17 comments:
I just watched fox news interview with sgt crowley. I was disturbed with president obama calling the actions of the Cambridge officers "stupid". Sgt. Crowley says no apology> Sgt. crowley you are the man....stay strong!
"the man" ... interesting choice of words to describe a police officer who handcuffs a homeowner after ignoring that he is in his own home. Even if he were upset, it his place and it seems extreme from those of us outside of your "union",
Stand by your man, barry. Maybe Crowley would have had the same reactions if it were a 60ish old white man in a similar circumstance, but I seriously doubt it.
I support Sgt Crowley. Pres should be the bigger man and not get involved in local issues, and definitely not stir sensitive issues.
Please add me to the list, of which i am sure is many, in SUPPORT of Officer Crowley. After reading all sides i believe Officer Crowley acted as a professional.
I am appalled at how this got out of hand all the way to the inappropriate statement made by the president of the United States who stated he was not aware of all the facts. I am glad that the police officers union is standing behind Officer Crowley and hope they remain steadfast!
Officer Crowley you have nothing to apologize for, you were repsonding to a report and handled it appropriately.
I totally support Sgt Crowley. He was doing his job which is protecting the citizens of Cambridge. Everyday he goes out to work and doesn't know if he will return to his family but he still goes. Not everyone is brave enough or cares about the safety of others to do this incredibly difficult job. It's very obvious from the photos at the scene and interviews with witnesses who were there, that the good professor was not an asset to his profession that day.
Sgt Crowley, Keep your head up brother you did NOTHING wrong! Police unions should ban together and help support our brother! Don't cave in and let the racist media driven Gates force you to do anything that you dont believe in! I wish you and your family well in this time!
Officer Crowley should look inside of himself. Would he have reacted the same way if the person looked like him? Everyone in the world is aware of how RACIST MA is. All of you can call it whatever you want, the truth is evident. No matter what President Obama says, or anyone else for that matter, only GOD can change the heart of man. People not being liked because they look different, speak different, etc. How sad is this whold entire story. Personally, I could not sleep at night if I based my judgements on RACE. GOD, or whatever higher power that man believes in feels the same way. Racism is always covered up. People want to say it is anyting but what it is, UGLY........
Stay strong, Sgt. Crowley. You are in the right here.
To anyone that thinks there was any kind of racial bias taken into account you're wrong. Part of the problem with this incident is the way the liberal media has twisted the issue by making the headlines read WHITE officer arrests Black Professor. It doesn't matter when you're a police officer what the race is of the offender or the Victim. The police are going to do the right thing which is what they are trained to do. One thing to think about is do you think if you called the police (for any reason) do you think they will come and protect you even if they may lose their life in the process? They will...NO MATTER WHAT YOUR RACE is.
We are watching the police briefing right now and continue to support Sgt. Crowley...
We are not shocked by what Obama said... it just reinforces for us what a arrogant narcissistic goof he is and we hope this helps more people stand up & support his immediate Impeachment....
East TN Supports Sgt Crowley
I fully support Sgt.Crowley's' actions in arresting Mr. Gates following his outbursts. Following complete review, I am sure Sgt. will we exonerated of any and all charges. Pres. Obama obviously spoke without knowing the details, and so stated, but still called the action stupid. Most inappropriate for our president to comment without the facts. I hope his similar comments without fact don't also apply to his health care proposals.
When I first heard about this case I was assure that the liberal media would make it all about race. I in no way support the president getting involved or making this even something that he would nationally comment upon. This is none of his business and certainly speaking without knowing the full extent of the situation is immature. He is only doing so in order to gain popularity among the minority voters that could care less about what is right or wrong. I do not feel that he really would loose a night of sleep about this matter otherwise. Add mo to the list of people that support this officer.
Sgt. Crowley was doing his job! It is sad to hear the President of USA is calling cops stupid, he is up there with Pelosiy putting down the CIA, at least the Police Union is backing Sgt. Crowley. Stay strong, don't quit!!
I am so disappointed in President Obama and have to say, have lost respect for the man. I was a supporter of his but now think of him differently. He owes the Cambridge Police and Sgt. Crowley the apology. I support and thank you, Sgt. Crowley, and all of your fellow officers for all of your difficult work in protecting citizens, even those who think they are better than the rest of us. Hang in there.
I believe that Sgt Crowley was following the established procedure for handling such a case, and that Dr Gates may have been upset from the beginning.
But, the situation was allowed to escalate. Who bears the responsibility for this? Not the civilian. The trained professional does.
So, even as if we assume everything Sgt Crowley says is true, he was still in the wrong. After he established that Dr Gates was in his own home, he should have left. Period.
Yelling at the police is not a criminal offense. Arresting someone when no crime has been committed to teach them a lesson is.
It is an abuse of power that diminishes the respect that many of us have for an honorable profession.
What a surprise! The PPA stands up for Crowley.
Crowley's now in a position to run for office in the PPA - and eventually the city council. Yeah, life's tough for a white cop in Metro Boston.
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