In that case of a noose that was hung on a Columbia University professor’s door, Columbia was at first refusing to turn over the security camera tapes to police: Police: Columbia won’t turn over video.

NEW YORK - Columbia University has refused to turn over security videotape that could help identify who hung a noose on a black professor’s office door, police said Thursday.

Investigators began asking on Wednesday for tapes from cameras in the building, but have been rebuffed by administrators, said Paul Browne, the New York Police Department’s top spokesman.

He said police will have to get a court order to force the school to provide video they believe could crack the case.

“It’s unfortunate because it adds a time-consuming step to the investigation,” Browne said.

A Columbia spokesman did not return a request for comment.

But Fox News has just reported that the school has reversed themselves and will release the tape to police after all.

UPDATE at 10/11/07 3:15:08 pm:

Here’s a report on the reversal: Cops: Columbia reverses position, turns over tapes in noose case.