CNN Panel on Police Arrest of Black Man Becomes Heated

Will Lerner
·Producer, Yahoo Entertainment

Another racially charged incident involving police came to light recently when video was released of a 2015 arrest. Lawrence Crosby, a graduate student at Northwestern University and a black man, was tackled to the ground by multiple police officers after a 911 caller suggested he was trying to steal a car. Only thing is, it was Crosby’s car. Crosby is now suing the Evanston, Ill., Police Department.

On CNN, Morehouse professor and journalist Marc Lamont Hill said that police officers tend to be overly aggressive with black suspects. Retired NYPD detective and CNN analyst Harry Houck disagreed.

“What happens is, when you see a black guy going into his car, people do a double-take,” Hill said. “Studies show this, if you believe in science. Police officers often are more aggressive with black suspects than white suspects. They’re often read as more guilty than their white counterparts. So again, I don’t think the cops had a racist intent…” “I don’t agree with that at all,” interjected Houck. “I’m only basing that on what scientific studies show, but I get it, you don’t have to believe in that, or dinosaurs or anything,” followed Hill.

Hill tried pointing to a study done by Phillip Atiba Goff at the Center for Policing Equity. According to the New York Times, “the organization compiled more than 19,000 use-of-force incidents by police officers representing 11 large and midsize cities and one large urban county from 2010 to 2015.” It supports claims that black suspects are treated more aggressively.

“Did he take a poll?” Houck asked. “No, he did a scientific, randomized study,” answered Hill. “He thinks this,” Houck responded. “No, he did a randomized study,” Hill insisted. For whatever reason, Houck was unwilling to acknowledge that scientific data backed up what Hill was saying.

“I don’t buy that,” Houck said. “Because I have experience out there on the street. How much time has that guy been out on the street? Probably zero.” “Actually, he’s hired by police forces in Cleveland, San Francisco, and L.A.,” Hill responded. “That does not mean anything,” Houck interrupted. Finally, the panel with CNN anchor John Berman ended, but not before a not-so-subtle quip from Hill: “This has been awesome.”

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