President Obama, Henry Gates and the Cambridge Police Department

One would think the President of the United States would have all pertinent facts at his disposal prior to making a statement on national television. Not so with our current President. During a televised news conference on the Health Care Bill currently facing the U.S. House and Senate, Obama mentioned a situation involving the Cambridge, Massachusetts Police Department. The President said the Cambridge Police "acted stupidly." These inappropriate remarks were totally uncalled for and offended many people not only in Massachusetts, but throughout the United States.

On Thursday, July 16, 2009, Cambridge Police were called to the home of Henry Louis Gates, Jr. Gates is a friend of President Obama and is currently the director of Harvard's DuBois Institute for African and African American Research. A neighbor called police after seeing someone try to force open the front door. Sergeant James Crowley was one of the officers who responded to the call. According to the Associated Press, "Police say Gates flew into a verbal rage when officers asked him for identification..." For five years, Sergeant Crowley taught a class at the Lowell, Massachusetts Police Academy called "Racial Profiling." In July 1993, Crowley worked at Brandeis University. Reggie Lewis, an Afro-American who played for the Boston Celtics, was at an off-season workout. When Lewis collapsed, Crowley immediately administered CPR to try and save his life.

Crowley is deeply respected by fellow officers on the Cambridge Police Department. Thomas Fleming, Director of the Lowell Academy said, ""I have nothing but the highest respect for him as a police officer. He is very professional and he is a good role model for the young recruits in the police academy."

Harvard University owns the house in which Henry Gates resides. Gates refused to show Crowley identification when asked, got upset and accused Crowley of racism. According to the Associated Press, Cambridge Police Commissioner, Robert Haas, "...commended the arresting officer, Sgt. James Crowley. Haas said Crowley's actions were in no way motivated by racism."

Instead of aggravating the racial situation in the United States, the President should be striving to bring all races together. Mr. President, before making any further statements, please obtain all the facts pertinent to the situation at hand. Police officers like Sergeant Crowley daily put their lives on the line for all of us and deserve more respect than the President is giving them.

Sources:
Comcast.net News
Associated Press