Full police report on the Harvard Professor

[Danno 1,228]

I have been following this story & honestly its hard to tell which version (the cop's or the professor's) is closer to the truth.

Only the cop & professor know the truth & I am guessing their own perceptions of what really happened are quite different. As for President Obama he should have said something to the effect that it was an unfortunate incident & that he hoped the truth would prevail.

Thats kinda what I thought yesterday, knowing how cops can be, it was possible he treated the Professor in a manor he was not used to and the whole thing escalated... but now we are finding out the lady who called the police was on the side walk and others soon gathered so the events might be more than just cop vs Professor as we have other witnesses as well.

[nowhereman 1]

I have been following this story & honestly its hard to tell which version (the cop's or the professor's) is closer to the truth.

Only the cop & professor know the truth & I am guessing their own perceptions of what really happened are quite different. As for President Obama he should have said something to the effect that it was an unfortunate incident & that he hoped the truth would prevail.

Thats kinda what I thought yesterday, knowing how cops can be, it was possible he treated the Professor in a manor he was not used to and the whole thing escalated... but now we are finding out the lady who called the police was on the side walk and others soon gathered so the events might be more than just cop vs Professor as we have other witnesses as well.

What are the witnessing saying? I didn't catch that part.

[Danno 1,228]

Q: If I am pulled over in my car or approached by a cop on the street or I am on my property, can I legally call The cop names at the top of my voice?

Any legal minds in the house?

[HAL 9000 96]

Q: If I am pulled over in my car or approached by a cop on the street or I am on my property, can I legally call The cop names at the top of my voice?

Any legal minds in the house?

Check the US Constitution. Amendment #1 for more information.

[nowhereman 1]

Q: If I am pulled over in my car or approached by a cop on the street or I am on my property, can I legally call The cop names at the top of my voice?

Any legal minds in the house?

Well the professor was arrested for disorderly conduct & here is the Massachusetts definition:

A disorderly person is defined as one who:

with purpose to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, or recklessly creates a risk thereof

engages in fighting or threatening, violent or tumultuous behavior, or

creates a hazard or physically offensive condition by any act which serves no legitimate purpose.

Based on the definition one could conclude that the professor's behavior constituted disorderly conduct. However the catch is the police officer would need probable cause to enter the premises in the first place & since the professor showed him his drivers license (with the same address) that is questionable. To answer your question I would say that "calling a cop names at the top of your voice" is not a good idea & may land you in jail (even if he's being a #######).

I wouldn't be surprised if a lawsuit is filed and/or false arrest is claimed in this case.

Q: If I am pulled over in my car or approached by a cop on the street or I am on my property, can I legally call The cop names at the top of my voice?

Any legal minds in the house?

Check the US Constitution. Amendment #1 for more information.

Freedom of speech doesn't give people carte blanche to say whatever they want... there are limits & exceptions.

[HAL 9000 96]

Of course there are limits. You can't yell fire at the movies or bomb at an airport. You can, however, have a discussion with a police officer even if the decibels show one to be a complete azz.

Accusing someone of racism in an elevated and irate tone of voice isn't illegal and that's why legally, the police dept couldn't pursue the 'case' any further.

Disorderly conduct charges is the preeminent method of getting booked by provocative officers that have no other reason to lock someone up just because they can. Again... its not belittling a law enforcer's job description as it deserves all the due respect available given the sworn oath to protect and serve the citizenship... but man... a lime has to be drawn somewhere with police state tactics.

[Heracles 417]

Q: If I am pulled over in my car or approached by a cop on the street or I am on my property, can I legally call The cop names at the top of my voice?

Any legal minds in the house?

Check the US Constitution. Amendment #1 for more information.

I did check it. It refers to right to represent one's political views and not be suppressed, as it was under a monarchy.

[NickD 203]

All I know is that if a low down dirty rotten stinker of a cop comes knocking at my door, I say, hello officer, may I be of help to you? Smile and listen to what he has to say, and politely give him an answer.

[Heracles 417]

.

Edited July 24, 2009 by haza

[spookyturtle 9,466]

.

Changed your mind, huh?

[William33 110]

Let's remain civil here. A good discussion does not include insults and so forth.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Let's remain civil here. A good discussion does not include insults and so forth.

It doesn't?

[KarenCee 3]

This entire incident will be tomorrow's news soon.

I certainly hope so.

[justashooter 430]

The whole 'speak with him outside of his residence' seems like a provocation as well.

it a psychological ploy designed to reduce aggression. removing a person from their "territory" reduces their sense of empowerment and defensiveness. this is psych 101 and part of the first week's training in police academy.

[nowhereman 1]

Of course there are limits. You can't yell fire at the movies or bomb at an airport. You can, however, have a discussion with a police officer even if the decibels show one to be a complete azz.

Accusing someone of racism in an elevated and irate tone of voice isn't illegal and that's why legally, the police dept couldn't pursue the 'case' any further.

Disorderly conduct charges is the preeminent method of getting booked by provocative officers that have no other reason to lock someone up just because they can. Again... its not belittling a law enforcer's job description as it deserves all the due respect available given the sworn oath to protect and serve the citizenship... but man... a lime has to be drawn somewhere with police state tactics.

I agree. I also don't believe the police officer is a rascist. I believe the professor was upset that the officer followed him into his home & gave him plenty of attitude. In turn I believe the officer lost his temper & arrested the professor without having a legitimate reason for doing so (and like you said disorderly conduct is an often used & sometimes abused catch all offense).

The professor should have politely told the officer to leave his house & the officer should have left when he found out that the professor lived there. If this would have happened the whole incident would be a non issue.