Beverly Hills Police Department Arrest An African American Television Producer

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/beverly-hills-police-department-regrets-wrongly-arresting-producer-charles-belk-9694079.html

He fitted the description of a bank robber, the police would have been failing in their duties if they didn't apprehend him, or does being a TV producer somehow vindicate him from being subjected to what mere mortals must expect if they also 'fit a description'?

/// Relaying his many impressive achievements, both in the community and in his professional life, Mr Belk said: “I get that the Beverly Hills Police Department didn’t know that I was a well-educated American citizen. ///

/// “Hey, I was “tall”, “bald”, a “male” and “black”, so I fit the description.” ///

But not educated enough to realise that is why you were arrested it would seem.

[mushroom25]

mistakes are made - in yesterday's press was a story surrounding kent's finest, who arrested a channel swimmer for being an illegal immigrant.

[mikey4444]

Another black American male in the wrong place, at the wrong time...... he is lucky he wasn't killed by a white Police Officer !

[anotheoldgit]

mikey4444

/// Another black American male in the wrong place, at the wrong time...... he is lucky he wasn't killed by a white Police Officer ! ///

Or in the quest for a level playing field, perhaps the 'WHITE' police officers were lucky they were not shot and killed, had he had been the real black bank robber.

[bazwillrun]

If he fitted the description then why shouldnt he be arrested, just because hes a tv presenter means jack....

whats his problem...oh let me guess.....

[youngmafbog]

Yes, we all know his problem

The Police would have been derelict in their duty in this case if they had not arrested him.

However if they did not make him aware of is rights, deprived him of a lawyer etc then I suggest he sues them.

[retrocop]

Another big chip on shoulder methinks.

[sandyRoe]

Was it the Sun used a photograph of the boxer, Nigel benn, to illustrate what a wanted robber looked like? I suppose to their mind 'one' would look much like another.

[anotheoldgit]

sandyRoe

/// I suppose to their mind 'one' would look much like another. ///

Yes but only if they were a "well educated American citizen", whose clothing and physical characteristics ie tall”, “bald”, a “male” and “black”, matched the suspected bank robber.

[sp1814]

Six hours?

I would certainly be annoyed.

Wonder why it took so long.

Also...I am not sure why he was arrested! Apart from a very basic description, what other evidence did the arresting officers have?

Odd.

[sp1814]

This is also quite strange:

"Mr Belk also claimed that he was denied a string of rights allowed prisoners, including: a phone call; explanation of charges put against him; being read his rights and being able to speak to his lawyer for “a lengthy time.”

[anotheoldgit]

sp1814

What are you trying to say sp, he was arrested just for being..................?

[sp1814]

Still makes no sense.

Surely only an arrest can be made if there's supporting evidence? If he had a gun on him, or stolen property, that would make sense.

But it's strange for an arrest to be made just based on a description...surely?