Reply #42: He made it up.

[Don1]

His behavior toward Gates was assuming and authoritarian. He wanted to justify that by saying he had probable cause for such behaviors. Technically, Gates did not match the physical description of any individual in the 911 call. So Crowley fabricated some probable cause for his behavior that was against police protocol.

He startled Gates when he showed up in front of the glass pane of Gates's door, blurting out something like "Will you come outside to speak with me?" No introducing himself...no explaining why he was there...no knocking on the door. It made Gates's neck hair stand up, according to Gates.

Gates was correct to respond, "No I will not." Gates was then next correct to "demand" (the officer's word) to know who he was. The officer makes it seem like Gates was being a trouble-maker. No, the officer was supposed to treat him like a civilian who doesn't match the description of a suspect...