I worked as a cop in Harlem and as a sergeant in the worst section of the Bronx. I would say 85% of the people I arrested were black. But then again, 85% of the people I saw day in and day out were black.

This scenario happened at least once a week. An anonymous caller to 911 states that a black male, in a red shirt and blue jeans, standing on the corner of 123rd St. and 7th Ave. has a gun. We pull up to the location. There is a black guy in a red shirt and blue jeans.

We get out of the car with our guns drawn. We have the person put their hands up and get against the wall. We frisk him.

95% of the time.........no gun.

Most times, someone called this in because they didn't like the guy, for whatever reason.

Now am I in my rights as a police officer to do what I did. ABSOLUTELY. That is my job. Do I need to apologize for what I did? ABSOLUTELY NOT.........

BUT

I always took the time to explain exactly what happened to the person. I'd have the radio dispatcher repeat the call over the radio and I would let the person hear the call. I then explained that I would much rather be sipping my coffee and chowing down on a Glazed Butternut, but I have to do my job. I have nothing against you, I'd say, but someone else evidently does.

And if the person was genuinely upset, I'd tell them I was sorry for upsetting them.

Most of the times, the person walked away upset, but they understood it was not personal.

Guys I worked with would say "Why do you bother", and I'd say, "Because if that was me, I'd want an explanation too."

I don't mean to imply this officer did anything wrong. I was not there, and once the adrenaline starts pumping, stuff happens. And there will ALWAYS be folks who can't be reasoned with, who just don't want to hear it. But most guys I worked with would just get back in the car and drive off. Technically, they did nothing wrong. But they sure didn't help the situation either.