original story posted August 18, 2009
Since the controversial arrest of the astute Harvard professor, Henry Louis Gates Jr., Sgt. James Crowley has made friends with the spotlight. In his latest stint with the lights, camera and action, Crowley received a standing ovation from thousands of police officers Monday when he made the opening speech of a five-day Fraternal Order of Police convention.
According to the Associated Press, more than police officers stood and applauded Crowley when he spoke at the Long Beach Convention Center. When he wrapped up his opening statements, his fellow officers stood and approached him for pictures as he left the stage.
"The past month has been very difficult for my family, my friends and my colleagues back in Cambridge, and it's no exaggeration to say that
it wouldn't be as easy for me to handle this without the support from the Fraternal Order of Police ... and the support that the men and women who do this job have given me," he said. "Thank you very much."
Crowley arrested Gates on July 16 after he responded to a call from a woman who reported what appeared to be two men forcing the front door open. Gates said the door was jammed and he and his driver had to shove the door open.
He was arrested for disorderly conduct after Crowley made claims that Gates raised his voice. Gates called the event a case of racial profiling and demanded a apology. The officer, however, said he was simply following protocol when he responded to Gates "tumultuous behavior."
It seems Crowley has become a bit of a superstar amongst his police comrades, while he receives accolades for doing everything any other officer would have done, right?
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