Sorry for the short diary, but I just wanted to raise an issue in a diary rather than comments because I don't believe enough emphasis has been placed on it in the last several days of discussions.
The discussion for people on both Gates' and Crowley's side has of course centered on racial profiling. Those on Gates' side argue that officers were only called to his home because of his skin color, and that the officer's behavior was unreasonable because of his bias. Those on Crowley's side argue that he was just following procedure and that this has nothing to do with race.
But was Crowley really "just following procedure"? Was he really serving the public interest? I don't think Crowley's defense was effectively refuted at all over the past few days, when in my opinion it should have been quickly and clearly refuted pointing out something obvious about Gates' arrest.
More after the fold...
The key issue in my mind is not whether Crowley should have showed up at Gates' home and asked for identification. I don't doubt Crowley's argument that if someone has called in a robbery in progress he is obligated by his duties to investigate it fully and file a report.
But the fact - not in dispute - is that Gates did at some point provide identification. So Crowley is not even charging Gates with refusing his orders. He is instead charging Gates with "loud and tumultous behavior". This charge is laughable on its face. Gates was in his own home. I'm sure that Gates was being no louder or more tumultuous than I am when I am yelling at the TV during a game.
So the issue here is clearly not protecting the neighborhood from loud and disorderly conduct. It is all about the policeman's ego. It is the fact that it was Crowley that was being yelled at.
Crowley acted out of anger, not out of concern for the public interest - plain and simple. He charged Gates with a frivolous charge to "put him in his place". Therefore Crowley wasted taxpayer resources and publicly humiliated a lawful citizen - for no other reason than his own anger and ego.
Whether or not Gates was overreacting or being a jerk is not the issue. It is not unlawful to yell or be a jerk. What is a much more serious issue, in my mind, is that a police officer abused his power and made a frivolous arrest. In my mind it is much more important to the public interest to make sure that law enforcement is not abusing its power. Because after all: who watches the watchmen? Police officers always fall back on the argument that they "put their lives on the line every day to keep the public safe". That's understandable, but that is NOT an excuse to deny any and all accountability. No one is above the law and police officers are still public servants that must be held accountable to the public's will and the law of the land.