Long story short. Man runs red light on his way to the hospital. Cop pulls behind him and flashes the lights, but the man ignores him. He gets all the way to the hospital and the cop stops him before he can leave his car. He explains to the cop that his mother-in-law is dying right now. The cop doen’t care and runs him through the procedure of checking information and issuing a ticket. During this process, his mother-in-law dies.
Did the cop do the right thing?
Note: The cop has since been suspended and an apology has been made.
Additional note: The man is a pro football player.
The cop drew his weapon when the man stopped and his wife (daughter of dying woman) jumped out and ran into the hospital. After the cop had the driver (NFL player) out of his car, a hospital security guard came out to confirm his story, then a nurse came out to re-confirm, then apparently another cop came out to re-re-confirm, and the arresting officer still continued to lecture the driver for another 13 minutes.
I haven’t heard anything about the cop apologizing. The Chief of Police issued an apology, but I haven’t heard anything from Officer Powell. This is all thats on the new here in the metroplex.
This guy needs to be fired and made an example of. His actions do nothing but hurt the publics perception of all police officers.
Man I thought the cop haters would be all over this one already. It is easy to judge “ex post facto”, at the time the right thing to do. Now he(cop) could have followed the driver to the hospital and then issued ticket there, but most that I know do not do that. We hear excuses all over the board when it comes to getting out of tickets, and you have to go with what you know at the time. By the time the cop would have checked his story out, we would have the same outcome. I DO think that Dallas P.D is wrong in suspending him, he was doing his job. Unless there is more to the story??? If this was “average joe” (not NFL)would the same incident be handled differently??? I think so.
Ok I missed the length of time and gun issue, that would change how things went down. As usual alot more to the story.
This would not have happened had he been white. You can not deny that.
I can; the cop is a dumbass. I saw the tape this AM. The “perp” was well spoken and stated his case clearly.
The cop drew his weapon when the man stopped and his wife (daughter of dying woman) jumped out and ran into the hospital. After the cop had the driver (NFL player) out of his car, a hospital security guard came out to confirm his story, then a nurse came out to re-confirm, then apparently another cop came out to re-re-confirm, and the arresting officer still continued to lecture the driver for another 13 minutes.
What’s the official procedure? Can anyone answer that before we rush to judgement?
The cop would have been lead to believe that the driver was actively fleeing. But the driver would have to show intent, like turning off headlights, speeding up, excessive speed going thru stop signs, etc…
Have you listened to the entire audio. This cop is an ass. He repeatedly issued the threat that he could make this guys life miserable. He even threatened to handcuff him and take him to jail for running a redlight.
Now I have the utmost respect for police officers. My dad was a policeman, and put in his 20 years. Without actually being one, I think I have a pretty good understanding of the stresses they go through. The vast majority of police officers are good community servants. But sprinkled in amongst them are the “Barney Fifes” Always on a power trip to stroke their own ego. These few diminish the service of the many. When they are exposed, for the benefit of the many, they need to be sent packing.
I haven’t heard anything about the cop apologizing. The Chief of Police issued an apology, but I haven’t heard anything from Officer Powell. This is all thats on the new here in the metroplex.
This guy needs to be fired and made an example of. His actions do nothing but hurt the publics perception of all police officers.
Most state laws contain provisions requiring a hearing before the Police and Fire Commission prior to or immediately after a discplinary suspension. At a minimum, most state statutes require a full investigation before implemention of a disciplinary suspension. Also, most police forces are unionized and the collective bargaining agreements contain provisions regarding suspension.
So, the officer almost always has to be placed on admin leave pending a hearing or finalization of the investigation.
I think that some of the core competencies required for a police officer are a good knowledge base about the people in his area of patrol, the places that are in that area, and an understanding of what people are likely to be doing. A good cop, in that area, knows that the hospital is nearby, knows that a car speeding on that road and pulling up in front of that building, likely has a medical emergency. Regardless, even if his initial response was correct, after having the man’s story confirmed by a hospital security guard, the head nurse, and then another cop, there’s not much excuse for being a dick after that.
The cop would have been lead to believe that the driver was actively fleeing. But the driver would have to show intent, like turning off headlights, speeding up, excessive speed going thru stop signs, etc…
The driver stopped at the redlight, waited till all traffic had cleared, then proceeded through. He also had his flashers on the whole time. This has been confirmed by the Cheif of Police in his news conference yesterday.
What's the official procedure? Can anyone answer that before we rush to judgement?
The news radio report I heard states that Dallas Police procedure is that in such a situation, the officer has to use his/her “best judgment.” That can’t be all there is to it though. I would think that if Moats’ story was confirmed by 2 hospital employees and a fellow officer, then Officer Powell was not using good, much less his “best” judgment.
I think there’s a larger problem. We’ve made law enforcement such a hellish job that one might question the judgment of anyone wanting to pursue such a career.
As for the officer in question, I have no idea what’s up with him. But for most who call themselves cops, I’m thankful they’re willing to do something I’m not.
Man I thought the cop haters would be all over this one already. It is easy to judge “ex post facto”, at the time the right thing to do. Now he(cop) could have followed the driver to the hospital and then issued ticket there, but most that I know do not do that. We hear excuses all over the board when it comes to getting out of tickets, and you have to go with what you know at the time. By the time the cop would have checked his story out, we would have the same outcome. I DO think that Dallas P.D is wrong in suspending him, he was doing his job. Unless there is more to the story??? If this was “average joe” (not NFL)would the same incident be handled differently??? I think so.
Ok I missed the length of time and gun issue, that would change how things went down. As usual alot more to the story.
Did you read the story…
The cop did follow him to the hospital… Well the driver kept driving with hazards on to the ER parking, parked in what looks like a handicapped spot, 2 women get out ignore the cop and run on in, driver stays behind to explain and cop is a jerk. Yes if this was an “average joe” the story would have come out and the the PD would have handled it the same way.