Then again, don't answer that because that picture looks like a mugshot. This guy is renowned history professor Felipe Fernandez-Armesto of Tufts University. He has published academic books through Simon & Schuster, not just University of Eastern Podunk Press. But, after today, he'll be better known as the prof who somehow managed to get arrested in Atlanta.
The AP reports that Atlanta police arrested Professor Fernandez-Armesto for jaywalking. That wasn't a problem, but Fernandez-Armesto claims he didn't recognize jaywalking was a crime, and he was dealing with a plainclothes police officer, so he was probably a touch more skeptical than he would have been otherwise.
Fernandez-Armesto tells the story with great gusto: "I asked him what his authority was because I didn't see a badge. Where I'm from, you don't associate young gentlemen in bomber jackets with the police. But he was extremely upset I had questioned his bona fides."
The AP writes, "At that point, [Fernandez-Armesto] says the officer lost patience, kicked his legs from under him and held him down. Two other officers helped hold him down as he was arrested." Then the Hotlanta PD held the professor for eight hours. For jaywalking.
Atlanta is a big city. There's a lot going on down there that the police could be monitoring instead of thumping on harmless older dudes who jaywalk. The only possible excuse for arresting and roughing up Fernandez-Armesto is that professors have a tendency to dress eccentrically. But Fernandez-Armesto would have had to look pretty scruffy to have an encounter with one of Atlanta's finest.
Fernandez-Armesto deserves the last word regarding this debacle: "I must say I didn't get to experience the Southern hospitality I'd heard so much about."
Mug shot – uh, photo – of Professor Fernandez-Armesto from the Tufts University Department of History website. And he really should get that picture replaced ASAP.
Note number two: If this profs-in-trouble trend keeps up, Bostonist will have to start a Prof Blotter a la the Phoenix's Sports Blotter!
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First it's jaywalking, then it's petty theft, then it's a reign of terror. It all starts somewhere, people.
Thank goodness the Atlanta Police nipped that one in the bud. Whew. Could have been nothing but trouble.
[/snark}
First they go for the "innocent," quiet, and upright who probably won't protest. These "easy" targets and makes 'em look like they're on the job. Real threats will probably shout injustice from the rooftops right off the bat (or make some other genuine fuss), sue, bring on the mob, craze out... too much hassle.
It boils down to the simple: unfair society? no civil rights? get a good lawyer.
This is typical in America the police constant harassing of visitors and citizens. The crime in the US is on the increase and the reason is because the police rather harrass, jail and deal with minimal offenses than dealing with the real crooks. I hope the commities orginizing professional meetings choose to organize them in civilized european countries and not in barbaric countries like the USA. I guess now they want to shock and awe the innocent. now that they can not shock and awe the real criminals
Maybe, just Maybe this guy got what he deserved....
The whole world is not a University Campus, and there are rules out in the real world.
Three Cops to arrest one old gaffer? Maybe the the good professor ought to explain why the officers felt that thee of them were needed to cuff one old man. Perhaps he was a bit more combative than he lets on?
I thought university professors were supposed to be smart? Oh wait, I am sure he is smart, he just has no common sense. It is good for him to wake up and realize that you have to pay attention when traveling in foreign countries. If he had been hit by a car while jaywalking everyone would be blaming the Atlanta PD for not doing their jobs.
University professors ARE smart and that's the problem when they're dealing with jerks in power. The "fine chap" officer seems to suffer some insecurity regarding his "bona fide." Way to build his resume by harrassing a reasonable quiet innocent man who was obviously not a civil threat to anything other than the officer's ego. Before you know it, they'll arrest teens for sex in parking lots, and handcuff my dog for urinating on a tree. I agree that european law officers are much more fair.
or indeed email the officer at: pug4000@yahoo.com and let him know what a good job he's doing or through his ebay ID (pug4000). This surveillance society cuts both ways.
Who says the univ. campus judicial system is any more fair? I can cite articles documented in the Chron. of Higher Ed. regarding problems for undergrad and profs alike. Whereas the "real world" uses brute force, the campuses use psychology. Unfairness is unfairness by any other name.
"I'm thinking that this fool now realizes that jaywalking is a crime and that talking back to a police officer is a good way to get arrested."
1. Jaywalking is such a petty offense that I'm sure "Use the crosswalk next time!" would've been sufficient.
2. Talking back to an officer is not grounds to be arrested. It's free speech and, unless he put forth a threat, unassailable.
"I'm thinking that this fool now realizes that jaywalking is a crime and that talking back to a police officer is a good way to get arrested."
Also, let's not forget that the officer in question was not in uniform, and considering this, I think it's perfectly reasonable for the professor to have asked to see a badge, id, or some kind of proof that the cop really was a cop, and not just some psycho. Judging from the officer's reaction to this entirely reasonable request, however I'd have to say that he's both a cop AND a psycho.
And they wonder why people call them "pigs."
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