NP Rank:
Sgt James Crowley: Is Cop That Arrested Gates A Profiling Expert?
Sgt. James Crowley, a 42-year-old police officer with the Cambridge Police Department, arrested prominent black scholar and Harvard University professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. outside his home on July 16 and charged Gates with "disorderly conduct".
The charges against Gates have been dropped, but James Crowley is now facing accusations of racial profiling amidst a firestorm of controversy that has erupted over the case.
But Crowley's defenders are now arguing that he is "a principled cop and family man who is being unfairly described as racist".
As apparent proof of his lack of bias and even-handed judgment, a story published Thursday by the Associated Press, indicates that Crowley may have even been "hand-picked" to teach his fellow officers and new recruits "about avoiding racial profiling".
For his part, Henry Louis Gates Jr. has stood by his belief that Crowley acted like "an unyielding, race-baiting authoritarian" and is a "rogue cop".
Crowley was further criticized by President Obama who not only sympathized with Gates but stated on Wednesday that the police officer "acted stupidly" in his handling of the case.
But James Crowley has refused to apologize.
As the public begins to take sides on this hot button issue, what is your perspective on James Crowley and his actions? Was Gates a victim of racial profiling?
Friends and fellow officers — black and white — say Sgt. James Crowley is a principled cop and family man who is being unfairly described as racist.
"If people are looking for a guy who's abusive or arrogant, they got the wrong guy," said Andy Meyer, of Natick, who has vacationed with Crowley, coached youth sports with him and is his teammate on a men's softball team. "This is not a racist, rogue cop. This is a fine, upstanding man. And if every cop in the world were like him, it would be a better place."
Gates accused the 11-year department veteran of being an unyielding, race-baiting authoritarian after Crowley arrested and charged him with disorderly conduct last week.
Crowd Power
-
Scott Wu
Vancouver, Canada
Recommendations (34)
-
Uwe Paschen
Narita, Chiba, Japan -
Babel-Fish
Negros Oriental, Philippines -
A. Tran
New York, New York, United States -
Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke
Redwater, Alberta, Canada -
Rhonda J Mangus
North Tonawanda, New York, United States






Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (18)
at 15:34 on July 23rd, 2009
Thanks for this, Jarrett! I'm now quite sure how to say this other than accusations of this nature seem to be escalating since the election of President Obama. And, unfortunately, I don't see an end in sight any time soon.
- Sign In or Join to post comments
Jarrett Martineauat 16:00 on July 23rd, 2009
Here's an interesting, if provocative, thought: did comedian Dave Chappelle predict the Henry Louis Gates Jr incident?
at 09:50 on July 24th, 2009
That is a very good Show. If the US is truly that bad than I be very concerned in deed.
- Sign In or Join to post comments
A. Tranat 18:39 on July 23rd, 2009
Thanks, Jarrett for covering this story and sharing Dave Chappelle's prediction.
- Sign In or Join to post comments
Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpokeat 18:40 on July 23rd, 2009
thanks for the video Jarrett.
- Sign In or Join to post comments
Gary111 (not verified)at 19:33 on July 23rd, 2009
Both Gates and Obama owe Crowley an apology. They are the racists.
at 22:55 on July 23rd, 2009
I really think that some people require to hear what Obama said whilst answering a question from the media. His answer was offered as a view based on only the evidence on hand.
At that time I would of offered the same opinion and I am a white free thinker. I can not see the remark of 'Stupid' being racially intent. What was seen as being stupid was the guy showed his ID and proved it was his house and then was still arrested.
Lets be fair and take out the Racial slant the arrested guy was an American citizen full stop!
Just because the media slipped this question in at the presidents speech on health care and the president kindly answered the question and offered a view concerning what he had gleaned from the evidence published at that time. Does not suggest racialism or that his view should be even taken into account.
If any thing he can only apologize for calling the police involved stupid. At least Obama did not lie like most politicians would have and state he knew nothing about the case and could not make an opinion. Maybe he is too honest?
I have notice that in second video on offer what Obama had said after recieving the question was cut out by the news editors. The media of course is some what unfair some times due to its want for sensation. lol
- Sign In or Join to post comments
Brian T. Johnson (not verified)at 23:46 on July 23rd, 2009
There is no evidence to indicate that Gates was a victim of racial profiling. To hurl reflexive, unfounded accusations of racism is to wrongly impugn a man who by all accounts seems to be a decent and professional public servant. Playing the race card is meant to achieve the moral high ground of victimhood while simultaneously silencing those who would dare disagree with you. Intentionally shutting down debate is a dangerous and disturbing trend, one that threatens the health of democracy. Gates and Obama should apologize to this officer for their shameful handling of this matter.
- Sign In or Join to post comments
ketan shah (not verified)at 06:11 on July 24th, 2009
It is all about ego of the two persons, one with power and the other is of knowledge
Both must have acted stupidly by not respecting each other
- Sign In or Join to post comments
BigEdsBlog (not verified)at 08:12 on July 24th, 2009
I first wrote about this on Tues and basically said that Gates was a jack arse.
Now Obama opens his uninformed mouth and inserts his foot in it. Gates said that <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 />Crowley didn't know who he was messing with. Perhaps Gates is the one who didn't know who he was messing with. Check out my take on it and the link to my Tue post. Also, please stick around for more good content. http://libertarianhumor.com/2009/07/24/gates-2/- Sign In or Join to post comments
bob johnosn (not verified)at 08:30 on July 24th, 2009
I seem to recall a guy by the name of Al Sharpton, who in order to get his name in the news, accused a few NY police officers of gang-raping a black liar by the name of Tawa Brawley. Sharpton went on a crusade to destroy the reputations and jobs of the NY cops, blatanty calling them monsters and racist.
So. . . eventually we learned that this little episode was manufactured by a few organizations such as CORE, the NAACP and Sharpton. After it was disclosed as a lie and hoax, did Sharpton apologize to the cops???? No way bro.
- Sign In or Join to post comments
john livinston (not verified)at 13:48 on July 24th, 2009
To all racist blacks in this country: we all are just getting a little sick and tried of your constant whines and pig squealings about racism. You are the racist. The White Community has bent over backwards to meet your constant demands. The time has long arrived that when one talks about the need to be tolerate and not racist,in the past , the comments were always directed to the White Community. The fact is that such a comment should now be directed to the black community. You are the ones keeping this misery around. Actually, you are able to whine because you are supported by white liberal guilt. Take that factor away and your base of constant damming of Whites would suffer greatly.
One day the hope is that the jesse jacksons and al sharptons will no longer reap their blight of misery on this land and that blacks will come to realize that success is based on strong hard work and family structure and that they (blacks) are responsible for their own success or misery not their race.
- Sign In or Join to post comments
El Grande (not verified)at 16:39 on July 24th, 2009
Clearly Crowley is not a racist. As proof of this fact, Crowley recalled how on separate occasions he tried to save the lives of Carl Lewis and Peanuts the Golden Retriever. It is time for Boston to rid itself of trouble makers like this so called professor. Send him back to where he came from. Keep Boston ginger - Go Celts!
- Sign In or Join to post comments
Meko Samba (not verified)at 20:18 on July 24th, 2009
I can say from experience. When you are on a call like this you have no idea what you are dealing with. It is not a black or white issue! As a "half white" I would have reacted in the same manor as SGT. Crowley regardless of race of Gates.
What scares the hell out of me is Obama's reaction with not even knowing the facts.
Why Obama would say what he did is beyond me.
Obama's statments were highly irresponsible.
- Sign In or Join to post comments
Cheyenne Greggs of Syracuse, New York (not verified)at 10:01 on July 27th, 2009
Can't We All Just Get Along?
- Sign In or Join to post comments
Garry Hollis (not verified)at 20:31 on July 30th, 2009
My hat off to the police, they lay their lives on the line every day for every race , color and religious group. They are shot at, spit on, called every name in the book and yes they even die for every one regardless of race,creed, or color. Who do you call when you get robbed? I bet the good Professor calls the same people I do. I will also bet he doesn't ask for a police officer of a certain color. Every police officer carries a huge responabilty of negoatiater, wisdom, the ability to find the truth, understanding the facts, and trying to figure out whats going on. If I was told to shut up or provide information by the officer, I would comply post hast. And for those of you that think I'm pro police and anti black think again. I'm PRO BOTH. We are all Americans trying to do whats right. Open minds, closed mouths, and the ability to walk in the someones elses shoes would go a long way to bring the racial problems to a end.
- Sign In or Join to post comments
cla cli (not verified)at 05:51 on July 31st, 2009
I think Gates is a trouble maker. Trying to divide the American people further. Racism will always exist as long as humanity is alive. The American people as a whole obviously showed in the last elections that they are not as racist as Gates wants people to think we are. Most of us voted for a black president! The racist here is the Harvard profesor, who made a bad move. Trying to divide the American people, as if we don't have more important issues at hand today. Terrorists waiting to attack our nation, Korea, our healthcare system (which will affect all of us!), the economy...etc..
It is disapointing that President Obama carelessly chose his words... He is after all the President elect, START ACTING LIKE IT! As far as Gates goes, he's a trouble maker and obviously a sad and troubled man.
- Sign In or Join to post comments
jack mcgrath (not verified)at 06:50 on July 31st, 2009
it is truly a disgrace that the media particularly the cable news channels have blown this out of proportion. a police sgt responds to a possible breakin of a house recently burgled. he meets a man who is surly and will not a first produce id when man goes back into house to produce id sgt follows which further excites man leading to disorderly conduct. this happened on 7/8 but wasnt flooded into media until perhaps 8-10 days later. during this 24/7 cable debate i was saddened to watch a funeral on nj public tv of a hero cop in jersey city nj who entered an apartment in persuit of a felon, who mortally wounded officer dinardo and 4 other cops with a powerful weapon. the felon (who was black and a career criminal) and his companion were killed in an ensuing gun battle. i was brought to tears watching the young widow leaving the church with her 3 young children the oldest a 4 year old girl. sgt crowly could have faced the same fate if he was walking into a trap by felons. jesse jackson said the sgt was overstepping his authority, i believe he was following police procedure.