<p>Crap, I closed my browser after typing a lengthy response :(. Can you teach me how to do that quote box in your next response, thanks.</p>
<p>The main problem with your argument is that you already assume that the cop knows (or should know): 1. who Gates is 2. his ownership of the house 3. the nonexistence of a robber (not Gates). Policeman have to keep in mind all the possible scenarios when investigating a reported robbery. The cop is not responsible to know anything about Gates, even if he is a , so-called, Harvard scholar. </p>
<p>“You can’t kick a person from their home.”</p>
<p>Like I said above, Crowley did not verify, yet, the ownership of Gates. Anyways, he did not force Gates to do anything! It is completely legal to ask a person to leave their house or provide identity. The charges are mainly based off of Gates’ uncalled for behavior: such as talking about Crowley’s mom.</p>
<p>“And somehow a restraining order can be placed without the alert of police and Gates?”</p>
<p>Like I said, this is about what the police knows, not what Gates knows. Gates does not have the authority to deal with robberies, the police does. I highly doubt Sgt. Crowley is responsible to memorize all 1000000 (exaggeration) restraining orders in Cambridge, nor are they required to carry around all files concerning restraining orders while addressing a robbery!! And you have to keep in mind that police cannot go through all that complex reasoning you mentioning below when addressing a situation. If policeman assess a situation like you and I are assessing this situation, they wouldn’t last very long! It is reasonable for Crowley to ask for hard evidence of Gates’ identity and ownership of the house in order to end the confrantation in a quick and simple manner. He shouldn’t just automatically assume Gates is innocent (or that their is no robber currently in the house) because the security system turned off, or because he has a key of the house (which he could have gotten after breaking in). Plus, I don’t think the policeman was there to see Gates go through his back door. </p>
<p>"and for Harvard to place a restraining order, they must legally remove Gates as the current resident and then file a order. "</p>
<p>Again, how is the policeman supposed to know if Gates is the current resident or not? (before Gates proved his ownership of the house)</p>
<p>“Actually you can’t search a home unless you made a lawful arrest.”</p>
<p>First of all, I would like to point out that this topic has nothing to do with the case, because Crowley did not enter the house illegally. I should not have brought up this topic. I think you are wrong though, a policeman can search files inside a house in complex cases: such as when a hostage is being held at gunpoint in an undisclosed location (and is said to be shot in 30 minutes or so if…) , and the information on a document within a house gives the police the information needed to save the hostage’s life; Furthermore, filing for a search warrant would take too much time.</p>
<p>“This is quite usual, police are trained to be concerned about the safety of other, not about themselves”</p>
<p>If Gates’ was not talking bad things about my mother and bothering me as I am ftrying to ensure his safety, I think I would care more about my own safety too! I think Crowley’s rank and time on the force proves that he is capable of placing himself before others.</p>
<p>“However, you have to know that he fully knows that there was no robbery”</p>
<p>Like I said many many times, it does not matter what Gates knows! It is the police’s job to respond to a robbery call, not him! Many many people get accused for things they didn’t do (like murder) and cooperate with police because they know that is the lawful and reasonable thing to do. He is not above the law, even though he is a “renowned” Harvard scholar. Just because you “have a reason to refuse” does not mean that you can verbally assault the people who put their lives on the line to make sure the community is safe.</p>