((HT: MyFox DFW))The police officer who detained an NFL player in a hospital parking lot while the player's mother-in-law was dying inside has resigned.
In a two-sentence letter (click here to see a PDF copy) , Dallas Police Department officer Robert Powell ((pictured, thanks Fox4 Dallas)) resigned Wednesday over the March 18 incident in which the officer drew his gun and threatened Houston Texans running back Ryan Moats.
"I made this decision in the hope that my resignation will allow the Dallas Police Department, my fellow officers, and the citizens of Dallas to better reflect on this experience, learn from the mistakes made, and move forward," Powell said in a statement released through his attorneys. (Click here to read the full statement.)
Powell stopped Moats' SUV in suburban Plano after the vehicle rolled through a red light. Moats' wife, Tamishia, and other relatives were also in the car.
While Powell lectured Moats and wrote him a ticket.
"I can screw you over," Powell, 25, can be heard saying on the video. "I'd rather not do that. Your attitude will dictate everything that happens." As they argued, the officer got irritated. "Shut your mouth," Powell said. "You can either settle down and cooperate or I can just take you to jail for running a red light."
Moat's mother-in-law died before he made it up to see her.
Powell later issued an apology. Moats' agent, Jordan Woy, said the couple has accepted the apology and will meet with Powell because he wanted to apologize in person. Woy said in an e-mail Wednesday that they'll meet so "the matter can be finalized and everyone can have closure to this situation."
Powell said he wants the meeting "to personally express my deep regret, sympathy, and to apologize for my poor judgment and unprofessional conduct." He also said he wants to apologize to his fellow officers.
A call to Dallas police was not immediately returned Wednesday.
In the video, Tamishia Moats and another woman disregarded Powell's order to get back inside their vehicle, and they rushed into the hospital. Powell yelled at Tamishia Moats to stay in the SUV.
"Excuse me, my mom is dying," Tamishia Moats said before going into the hospital.
"Do you understand?"
She was by the side of her mother when Collinsworth died a short time later.
Moats explained that he had waited until there was no traffic before continuing through the red light. When Powell asked for proof of insurance, Moats grew more agitated and told the officer to go find it.
Police said the ticket issued to Moats was dismissed. Police Chief Kunkle has apologized to the family over the incident, saying, "When we at the command staff reviewed the tape, we were embarrassed, disappointed."
Bob Gorsky, Powell's attorney, said his client felt it was "time to move on." He said Powell had no immediate employment plans but hopes to return to law enforcement.
"He wanted to keep his job very much, but he considered the toll this story was taking on his family and himself," Gorsky said.
Here's the dashboard cam tape from Powell's police car...
((HT: KDFW-TV))
4 comments:
What a douchebag...haha should have been fired.
This is a pretty sad situation. Everyday people face medical emergencies. Sometimes they are smart enough to call the police and warn them so a supervisor or dispatcher can warn the beat cops, this would have helped. But understandably, when some people are wrapped up in themselves like these people obviously were, calling to warn someone is the last thing on their mind. The sad thing in this story isn’t the MOATS family, people die everyday, no, the sad thing is the loss of an officer that was doing his job. Is this MOATS guy going to risk his life protecting the lives of the people living in that city? NO. But this poor guy dedicated his very life to doing exactly what he was chastised for doing...keeping our roads safe. Look up the statistics on how many people were hit by cars and died in that city last year. This police officer may have very well saved someone’s life or lives that day, but because we live in a pathetic culture that gives more respect to celebrities than to Police officers, firemen and teachers we end up ending a good man's career over an unfortunate turn of events. If this police force and this city was worth its salt it would insist that this young man return to do his job to the best of his abilities and pay him every cent he's lost as a result of his time off. Sure this was sad, but time is time and it is running out for all of us. Cherish the living while they are alive and when we pass away it won't be so devastating to say goodbye. Now, go do the right thing.
A none news mouse (anonymous) you are pretty warped if you think this situation just happened by chance, this Officer is a bad seed and got digged ya dig, and his attorney is a two faced troll who will say anythiny for a check,he has a past of not backing his TMPA members a real sell out!! But if the cop wanted to keep his job he should have contacted his State Senator for help they know how to hider things and mjake them go away.
I would like to know what happened to this total asshole cop after he resigned from the Dallas Police Department. This man should NEVER be allowed into law enforcement in any capacity ever again. He is the epitome of what people dislike in outrageous police behavior. This man is obviously a racist and has no heart. He had no caring whatsoever that this man's mother in law was dying and acted like a robot giving out this moronic ticket. I hope this incident is broadcast everywhere he lives. His punishment should be a life of shame.
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