Has The Riverside Stepped In It This Time?

I picked Satin Arabesque 66 for today’s post for only one reason--the fact that it is black and white (and this issue really seems like a “black and white thing” to me. The image is pretty enough but the story isn’t pretty at all. Read on and see what you think.
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Like the LAPD before it, the Riverside Police Department has had it’s share of racially-centered “incidents”. This latest one caught my interest because it raises a number of questions which I’ll get to in due course. In the meantime here’s the story…
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The incident in question happened on October 7, 2008 when Wayne Guillory (an officer with the Los Angeles Police Department) was sitting on a ledge on his property (in an upscale Riverside neighborhood) talking to Leslie Jo Young, a door-to-door Bible Salesman when he was approached by RPD Officers responding to a “Solicitor” complaint. The officer told Guillory to leave, first pointing a Taser at the man and then a gun. It took 8 or 9 RPD Officers (who arrived with lights and sirens) to verify that Guillory had a RIGHT to be there--but not before he was cuffed and forced to lie face-down on hot asphalt. Once they were able to verify Guillory’s identity he was released without an apology.
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Now Guillory seems to be talking to anyone who will listen and complaining that he was a victim of Racial Profiling. Was he? I dunno (but if it walks like a Racial Profile and quacks like a Racial Profile it’s very likely a Racial Profile.) For whatever reason, Guillory is now being investigated by the L.A.P.D. (not sure why they have anything to do with this) because of the incident. Guillory denies reports that he balled up his fists and was ready to fight the officers.
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Riverside Police Chief Russ Leach has complained that press coverage of the incident was “one sided.” In the words of the Prophet--”well, duh!” The city of Riverside has refused comment other than to say the charges are “without merit” (again--well duh! What did you really expect them to say?) Still, if the City has something on the guy (other than the testimony of the involved officers) they shouldn’t be playing their cards so close to the vest. Further, I know the Chief of Police has a certain “obligation” to defend his officers and his department but going after what seems like a serious over-stepping of boundaries here but it strikes me as--well--tacky somehow. Whatever happens this looks like it’s going to be a big mess.
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What I want to know is why the involved officers upon realizing their mistake didn’t say something like “sorry, we screwed up.” The man clearly had a right to be where he was (even if he was black and his black guest made the neighbors uncomfortable) and he had a right to entertain whomever he wished on his property (as long as they weren’t making a public nuisance). Surely this could have been resolved if someone involved had just shown a modicum of common sense. Sadly, common sense seems to be in very short supply these days. Instead the Police Department has bought themselves a mess of trouble.
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Think about it.