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Mass. Police Unions Want Apology From Obama

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 24, 2009 12:30 PM CDT

(Newser) – Massachusetts police unions today called on President Obama, Gov. Deval Patrick, and others to apologize for criticizing the cops who arrested Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates, the Boston Globe reports. “The president should make an apology to all law-enforcement personnel throughout the entire country,” said one Cambridge policeman. “Cambridge police are not stupid.”

Union officials also said they opposed the motion to drop the disorderly conduct charge against Gates; Obama, asked about the incident Wednesday, said police had “acted stupidly,” though he admitted he was “a little biased” because of his friendship with Gates. John Crowley, the arresting officer, said yesterday that he found the comments “regrettable” but didn’t hold them against Obama.

Cambridge Police Sgt. James Crowley listens to questions from members of the media at his home in Natick, Mass., on Wednesday. (AP Photo)

Police Commissioner Robert Haas speaks to reporters at Cambridge, Mass., Police headquarters,Thursday, July 23, 2009. (AP Photo/Josh Reynolds)

Commissioner Robert Haas speaks to reporters at Cambridge, Mass., police headquarters yesterday. (AP Photo)

Henry Louis Gates Jr. participates in a CNN panel Wednesday in New York. (AP Photo)

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Showing 3 of 46 comments

foodchain11

Jul 25, 2009 7:25 AM CDT

---154: And Bush lied about the facts he had, ignored infor he didn't want and then KILLED PEOPLE!! I didn't hear "sorry" or "mistake" from him. AND, the officer's job is to diffuse difficuolt situations-he's the rewsponsible man in charge! So how do put that into your head big boy??

Shannonals

Jul 25, 2009 6:21 AM CDT

Hmmm, why is it that the Massachusetts police union is in the news because of this, yet the Commissioner hasn't made a formal statement? Either way, this story of bruised egos had it's 15 minutes of fame, time to move on.

Shannonals

Jul 25, 2009 2:07 AM CDT

How are you a racist Jayster999? Everything you say of late is Black man this, Muslim that. You make assessment of an entire race based on the warped actions of a few individuals, yet when it happens to a white man you say nothing. A man is a man. A race does not define a real man, you either going to live your life in a righteous way, or your going to live in your ignorance. Don't misunderstand me, I'm not judging you, it's not my place, if you are a racist, so be it, it's your life. Your comments, however protected by free speech can be judged, and as I stated, you have been posting rather racist comments

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Mass. Police Unions Want Apology From Obama

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Barack Obama • police • union • racial profiling • President Obama • Henry Louis Gates Jr • James Crowley • Skip Gates

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More Newser Stories

Detroit Bust Would've Been Better Than Bailout

Ex-Prez Bush says bailout his idea, and a good one

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Budget would institute 'Buffett Rule,' boost infrastructure

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'Accommodation' for religious employers will likely be announced today

Small Donors Gave 48% of Obama's 2011 Donations

That's more than double the proportion from 2007: analysis

No Child Left Behind Waiver Granted to 10 States

At least 28 more plan to seek one

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