Harvard professor's arrest sparks US race row

A white policeman accused of racism after he arrested a prominent black scholar was chosen by a black police commissioner to teach recruits about racial stereotyping.

Henry Louis Gates Jr accused Sgt James Crowley of being a "race-baiting authoritarian" after he arrested Mr Gates when a neighbour in Cambridge, Massachusetts, called police about a burglary.

Sgt Crowley says Mr Gates was offensive, especially about his mother. Friends and fellow officers, black and white, said Sgt Crowley was a principled police officer and family man. "If people are looking for a guy who's abusive or arrogant, they got the wrong guy," said Andy Meyer. "This is not a racist, rogue cop. This is a fine, upstanding man."

The case has highlighted the issue of racism in America's police and reached the level of national debate when President Barack Obama said police "acted stupidly" when they arrested Mr Gates, a Harvard professor.

But last night he said: "I have to say I am surprised by the controversy surrounding my statement because I think it was a pretty straightforward comment that you probably don't need to handcuff a guy, a middle-aged man who uses a cane, who's in his own home."

Police were quick to defend themselves. "The president's alienated public safety officers across the country," said David Holway, of the International Brotherhood of Police Officers.

But a leading black officer backed Mr Obama. "It's appropriate that the leader of this country should recognise there are still issues in this country in regards to race," said Lieutenant Charles Wilson, of the National Association of Black Law Enforcement Officers.