police shananigans
I've been following somewhat the story about Prof. Gates of Harvard, who is black, being arrested in Cambridge by Sargent Crawley. Many thing the arrest had racist overtones, since Gates was arrested for breaking into his own house after showing Crawley ID proving he lived there. I think I first became aware of this story through the Daily Show, demonstrating once again a combination of the "DS is a really informative comedy program" and "American is doomed." Anyway, the story became a big national deal in part because Pres. Obama was asked about it at a news conference and said the police acted stupidly. Now he has said he was too provacative, and he's inviting Gates and Crawley over for beer. Meanwhile, city officials are talking about using this as a learning experience and moving on.
I'm not OK with this. If the only issue were the racism, then I can see using it as "a teachable moment." But that's not the only issue: Crawley filed a false report. Several material things he said have been contradicted by other sources, including the recording of the 911 call that was released today, statements by the caller, and statements by people familiar with Gates. These include wether he spoke to the caller at the scene, how she described the physical appearance of the suspects, and whether Gates was or could have been threatenting (he's in his 70s and walks with a cane). If Crawley lied it was a serious breach of the public trust, and if he really remembered it that way then he is such a flawed observer that his statements should not be used as part of criminal records. I don't know how these things work in police departments, but in medicine or law those kinds of mis-statements on public documents would potentially be career ending. But Crawley is getting invited to have a beer with the president.
Am I over-reacting in being shocked? Can anybody who has worked as a police officer tell me how lying on a police report is normally treated, and what evidence is needed to prove that it's a lie?
I'm not OK with this. If the only issue were the racism, then I can see using it as "a teachable moment." But that's not the only issue: Crawley filed a false report. Several material things he said have been contradicted by other sources, including the recording of the 911 call that was released today, statements by the caller, and statements by people familiar with Gates. These include wether he spoke to the caller at the scene, how she described the physical appearance of the suspects, and whether Gates was or could have been threatenting (he's in his 70s and walks with a cane). If Crawley lied it was a serious breach of the public trust, and if he really remembered it that way then he is such a flawed observer that his statements should not be used as part of criminal records. I don't know how these things work in police departments, but in medicine or law those kinds of mis-statements on public documents would potentially be career ending. But Crawley is getting invited to have a beer with the president.
Am I over-reacting in being shocked? Can anybody who has worked as a police officer tell me how lying on a police report is normally treated, and what evidence is needed to prove that it's a lie?