NATICK, Mass. — A suburban Boston police sergeant accused of racism after he arrested renowned black scholar Henry Louis Gates Jr. at his home insists he won't apologize over his treatment of the Harvard professor.

Gates has demanded an apology from Sgt. James Crowley, who had responded to the home near Harvard University to investigate a report of a burglary and demanded the scholar show him identification.

Police say the 58-year-old Gates at first refused and then accused the officer of racism.

Crowley said Wednesday he's disappointed by the national debate triggered by the incident and insisted he followed proper procedures in arresting Gates last week in Cambridge on a charge of disorderly conduct. The charge was dropped Tuesday.

Crowley says he's grateful he has the support of his police force. He says he's not worried about any possible disciplinary action.

Associated Press writer Melissa Trujillo contributed to this story from Boston.

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