It seems like you hear more and more about police officers making more and more mistakes in the line of duty. These people are suppose to our protectors and our “watchmen”, not the ones that hurt us. I was reading a story today about a Dallas, TX police officer Robert Powell that stopped Houston Texans running back Ryan Moats' in a local hospital parking lot for supposedly rolling through a red light. Moats exited the vehicle exclaiming that his mother in law was inside the hospital dying and that he had to get into the hospital immediately to be by her side.
Now I’m no police officer, but I am a compassionate person. Most people in this situation would find that letting this man hurry to the hospital room to spend time with his dying mother in law during her last few moments on earth. Officer Powell did exactly the opposite of what most people would do. Powell immediately became very controlling and pointed his firearm both at Moats and his wife as his wife left the vehicle and ran inside the hospital to be by her mother. There is nothing more that irritates me is when an officer pulls his weapon on someone that is obviously not carrying a weapon. Accidents happen all of the time with loaded weapons, and officers are not immune to such accidents.
This particular officer has had some issues in the past, giving the Dallas police department some bad PR. During his 3 years with the force officer Powell has received complaints and corrective action for violation of the department's sick leave policy and for failing to contact a supervisor. I think that the Dallas police force made a good decision on taking Moats’ side of this whole ordeal. "I think even someone who has never been through police training should know how to handle this incident. This is an area of common sense," Dallas police chief David Kunkle said. A good example public relations taking place in the police force.
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I read this article too and was appalled. I also seen Mr. and Mrs. Moats on Good Morning America the other day. They came across as such a loving and caring couple. They hadn't been contacted by the police officer yet, but were willing to accept his apology if he did contact them.
ReplyDeleteThis police officer hopefully gets a good reprimand and some counseling. What would have been so hard about following them into the hospital to see if they were telling the truth. It's not like they were trying to run away or had guns, etc.
First, I would like to thank you for writing about this; I hadn’t heard anything about this! With the information you gave, I have to agree with you 100% that the actions of the officer were unprecedented. As you said, it is understandable that the officer has rules and regulations that he needs to follow, but as with most things, there are times when those do not apply.
ReplyDeleteThe officer’s action certainly will not be easy for the PR department at the station to explain. As we all know, cops have a bad reputation even when they haven’t done anything. Just imagine what it will take for this officer and this department to live this little faux pas down!
I recently took a learning style test that showed I do not like rules for the sake of rules. Nothing could describe me more. I have such an issue with people, including bosses, administrators, and policeman who choose to take the strict interpretation of the law in instances when it is clearly not necessary. This police officer was probably following a protocol for a situation when someone is pulled over on a highway or something like that and acts aggressively. But this person was clearly on their way into the hospital. Like you said, common sense. I think too many people that go into any kind of position of authority go because they don't have to use common sense, which they clearly lack, because there is a little code book telling them what to do in any given situation.
ReplyDeleteI'll get down from my soap box now. :)
I have been watching this on a few different stations. It has been on MSN news, ESPN and even on CNN. Now I usually dont watch MSN or CNN but when I flip through the channels I sometimes stop on those channels. I have relatives that live in Dallas and if that were to happen to them I would be out raged. I know that there is a line between morals and the law, and this is a case in which morals obviously didnt come in to play. Motes was at the hospital and by then the officer could have escorted him in to see his mother in law, so that he could be proven honest, and not just got the third degree. This officer hasnt had this as his first offense either Dallas Cowboys MLB Zac Thomas said he mistreated his wife. He is now pressing charges. I wouldnt be surprised to see this officer loose his job.
ReplyDeleteI think it is a bunch of crap that he pulled his weapon, i am not an expert but i pretty sure that officers only carry firearms to protect themselves or others. I think this officer should be fired for pulling his weapon for no good reason. It is people like him that will make our 4th admendment go away by owning and possessing firearms. I think this just makes people who own firearms bad.
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