Cop Sorry For Keeping Man From Dying Kin

[RamboLiberal]

Source: CBS News

A police officer apologized for a traffic stop involving an NFL player whom he kept in a hospital parking lot and threatened to arrest while his mother-in-law died inside the building.

-----

On Friday, Officer Powell issued a statement exclusively to CBS 11 News in Dallas-Fort Worth through his attorneys.

"I wish to publicly and sincerely apologize to the Moats family, my colleagues in the Dallas Police Department, and to all those who have been rightfully angered by my actions on March 18, 2009. After stopping Mr. Moats' vehicle, I showed poor judgment and insensitivity to Mr. Moats and his family by my words and actions. With great remorse I accept my responsibility for adding to their grief in an already difficult time.

I have attempted to reach Mr. Moats to express my personal condolences directly to his family and my regret about my actions. While these efforts have been unsuccessful so far, I hope we can talk soon.

Again, I am very sorry for what I did and ask for the forgiveness of all those touched by these unfortunate events."


Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/03/27/national/main4898503.shtml?tag=topStory;topStoryHeadline

---

Uh-huh. Took you long enough Officer Powell! You should've apologized that night as soon as someone at the hospital told you the situation you jerk!

The information only came to light because the Plano police officer who tried to intervene for Moats was so disturbed he told his supervisor who contacted Powell's supervisor.

[old guy]

1. Damage control to save his job.

[Cronus Protagonist]

11. Betcha a hunner bucks he never even wrote a word of that apology

Not one word.

[NBachers]

15. You're right. Someone in his lawyer's office wrote it.

"Here- sign this. We'll release it to the media for damage control."

Cynical, sterile, fill-in-the-blanks manipulation

[quiller4]

37. Not too likely--more likely his union rep who is trying to

save the sorry SOB's job encouraged him to write it and told him he could kiss his job goodbye if he didn't

[Solly Mack]

2. I'm sorry I pulled this shit on a high profile personality who has the money to sue my ass.

[Hekate]

26. Ain't that the truth. nt

[kestrel91316]

3. Better late than never. Most attorneys won't LET their clients apologize.

[caseymoz]

41. The fact that this guy is-- says something.

It probably says that every attorney he went to fled the room at the sight of him.

This cop screwed in so many ways-- and try as I might, I just can't sorry for him, nor for the rest like him who get away with harassment like this every day.

[otohara]

4. Had It Not Been An NFL Player

This apology would never have happened.

American's all over this country have encountered a jerk cop like this at a time when they actually needed help and were instead treated like a bank robber vs a concerned citizen speeding to a hospital for an emergency.

We never hear about this stuff, unless it's someone famous.

[Stephanie]

6. Americans DWB have probably encountered it

As a blonde American it's never happened to me.

[firedupdem]

22. Exactly. My son and my husband are stopped constantly while

I whiz around and never have an issue. He never would have apologized had this situation not hit the news. Asshole

[Stephanie]

5. At least he said 'I'm sorry for what I did', and not 'I'm sorry if they were offended'

I hate those passive aggressive "apologies"

[gabby garcia]

7. Racist Asshole Cop Sorry For Getting Busted For Keeping Man From Dying Kin

fixed.

[chollybocker]

8. That's just wonderful, Officer.

Now hang up your badge and pistol. You are clearly not cut out for police work.

[OwnedByFerrets]

9. Damage control by the asshole who was more than likely

a pompous prick when it really matter that he NOT be.

[bluestateguy]

10. The worst punishment he could get now would be to be made unemployed in this economy

and that is what should happen.

[mellowchick]

46. Petition!

A petition has been started in regards to Officer Powell resigning! If this is something you feel strongly about, if you feel that Mr. Moats and his family was treated wrong, if you feel that Officer Powell was on a power trip and took this way too far- sign this petition!! I will be personally hand delivering it. You can find the petition at petitionspot.com and it is titled Support the Moats family! Tell your friends and family who were outraged by Officer Powells behavior about the petition. No one should ever be treated like this-especially when a loved one is taking their last breaths-literally.

[Fire1]

12. In this case, apology not good enough.

[Submariner]

13. Fire the Cracker

Enough of this racism crap. It's 2009 for chrissakes. Grow the f**k up!

[Historic NY]

14. It called a lack of common sense & compassion, now not taught to recruits.

trust me I know.

[MadMaddie]

30. The thing is if a police acadamy has to teach common sense

and compassion that recruit shouldn't be there.

[VenusRising]

16. No, he's very sorry he got caught and is in a shit storm over it.

Screw him.

[Blandocyte]

17. STARS don't break laws!

Run a stop sign? No problem if you're famous! Go right ahead, Sir! Can I get you some peasants to rape later? My pleasure, Sir!!!

[murielm99]

23. He could have let the guy off with a warning.

He could have written him a ticket in less time.

He could have followed him into the hospital if he doubted the story.

When we watched the video, my husband said he would have run the light under similar circumstances.

Some cops actually help people who are on their way to the hospital under dire circumstances.

[truth2power]

78. What troubles me about that incident is that someone

(another officer or maybe hosp. security) is clearly heard on the video conversing with someone inside the hospital who keeps saying, "She's coding" and the cop just keeps being an asshole and haranging Moats. What did he think "coding" meant? Couldn't he have accompanied Moats into the hospital?

The cop should lose his job.

[fishwax]

24. what's that got to do with the story?

Moats certainly didn't get any special treatment for being an athlete when he was stopped :shrug:

[MadMaddie]

31. I think they are saying the apology would have never have

happened if Moats was a regular Joe like us. He was high profile enough for the story to take hold and the police department knows they are in deep shit.

[Blandocyte]

54. Exactly.

A little "I was wrong to risk the safety of others by not stopping at the stop sign" would have at least shown a little humility. I sympathize with the guy, but I don't like what I perceived (maybe mistakenly) as entitlement.

[spag68]

62. go back to freeperville

[patrick t. cakes]

73. go back and watch the tape,

he did watch for traffic and we mentioned it to the cop.
he did things the right way under the circumstances.

[PA Democrat]

75. Maybe you should view the tape and read the story before spouting such bullshit.

Moats never tried to get out of the ticket. He just wanted the cop to write the ticket and let him go into the hospital to say his goodbyes to his dying mother-in-law. A nurse came out of the hospital TWO times and pleaded with the cop to let Moats go. His mother-in-law with whom he had a very close relationship dies before the cop allowed Moats to leave. The cop was on an obvious power trip from the start, drawing his weapon and aiming it at Moats and his wife when they first got out of the car.

But just go ahead and show your prejudice, absent facts and then make distasteful remarks, inferring that he would like to rape peasants next.



:puke:

[Hekate]

27. A nurse from the hospital came out repeatedly to reason with the cop. That good enough for you?

Wow. Nowhere have I read that the "star" ever said "Do you realize who I am?"

No, he said his wife's mom was dying and they were trying to see her before she passed. At least one nurse actually walked out of the hospital to talk with the idiot cop, who wasn't having any of it. He waited until the woman was dead before finally handing over the ticket, which he could have done first thing.

Welcome to DU. Enjoy the pizza.

Hekate

[Missy Vixen]

38. The guy in question

wasn't recognized as an NFL player until after the incident. You might want to think about the fact that they were in Plano, which isn't Houston, and Moats probably isn't recognizable to anyone who's not a football freak.

He also did not say ANYTHING in that tape, re: "Do you know who I am?", etcetera. He was amazingly polite for someone who just denied him (and the woman's father) from saying goodbye to a loved one for the last time. Then again, the officer had his gun in his hand, too.

It's good to know what you're talking about before speaking.

[slampoet]

39. You're right the cops act like rock stars.

[Naipes]

58. You're a dick.

enough said.

[myrna minx]

65. Watch the video. Moats NEVER brings up his status as an NFL player during this horrible

exchange. He was just desperate to go in and see his MIL before she passed. Nurses and another officer PLEAD with the officer to let Moats go for a few minutes to see her for one last time, but the officer is unmoved and was deliberately a jerk and abusing his power. Watch the uncut video, and if you have any compassion at all, it will make your heart ache for this family and enrage you by the abuse of power. I cannot believe the amount of restraint Moats exhibits during all of this.

[PA Democrat]

76. Ryan Moats and his wife were interviewed on Good Morning America today and they

seemed like very nice people. They conducted themselves with much more grace and class than I would have been able to manage in the same situation. They said that they had not received a call from the cop, but that they would accept his apology. Link to story and video below:


http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Health/story?id=7204226&page=1

[BrightKnight]

18. He is sorry that he got caught. There is no way to undo what he did.

I live here and I don't want him on the street period.

[paulsby]

68. i love all this mind reading brilliance in DU

post after post claims the guy isn't really sorry, etc. just sorry that he was caught.

apparently, when it comes to cops, the benefit of the doubt is NEVER appropriate.

the cop fucked up bigtime and got criticized for it. as he should be.

then, he apologizes and not one person considers he might actually be sorry.

must be wonderful to be such perfect judges of human nature and such perfect mind readers as to KNOW that the apology is not sincere.

omniscience. it's what's for breakfast.

[RamboLiberal]

70. I might believe him if he hadn't said he thought he did nothing wrong

when shown the tape. And after he knew the woman had died without Moat's or the woman's husband being able to see her before she died.

[ecstatic]

74. If he cared, he wouldn't have done it in the first place

Doesn't take rocket science to figure that out. Several people BEGGED and PLEADED with that asshole cop and he still wouldn't let the guy go. Then when he finally wrote the ticket, he decided to give an extra lecture on top of what had already taken place over the previous 15 minutes.

[paulsby]

77. i disagree

he was an assmunch.

i have no issue with that.

but the idea that such a person is incapable of feeling sorry for what he did, etc. does not strike me as valid.

i think it's kind of silly that everyone just KNOWS he isn't REALLY sorry.

i've seen repentant murderers given more credibility for their "i'm sorry" than this guy gets :)

iow, instead of saying "good, he apologized. that's a start", even his apology is attacked.

[TommyO]

19. Where is his resignation?

[notadmblnd]

20. Another one, just sorry he got caught.

he'll go back to treating citizens in the same manner in no time. I'll put money on it.

[Kalyan]

21. ACT LIKE A COP!

act with dignity & integrity. act with honesty. act with courage.

don't behave like a coward. don't hide behind "released statements" and PR agents. if you had the guts, you would ask permission to address a press conference and take all questions when issuing a personal apology. you have not only bought disrepute to yourself, but also to the police community at large - hence be a man. stand in front of the cameras and apologize to your colleagues first & foremost. remember, US is a forgiving nation and we are ready to offer second chance.

by the way, i wish i was the head of the disciplinary committee charged to take action against us. i would let you have the job (after your press conference) and then impose a 1000 hour /5 year mandatory community service in the black district

[MadMaddie]

32. Kalyan

if this cop had dignity, integrity, honesty and courage, Moats and the dying womans father would have been by her side.

This guy is a bully with a badge and he needs to be fired. If he can't act rationally in a fairly non-threatening situation what would he do in a high stress situation.

Welcome to DU!!

[tuckessee]

44. You mean "Act like a TV cop"

act with dignity & integrity. act with honesty. act with courage.

Real cops, as a whole, possess none of these characteristics.

[AngryOldDem]

49. Sadly, I have to agree with you.

Had an experience last night at my job with one, who just confirmed my opinion that some are just gold-plated assholes using a badge to compensate for some kind of deficiency, perceived or otherwise. Compared to some incidents this was fairly tame, but it was inexcusable nevertheless.

I saw this particular story on the news yesterday and I was outraged. The guy was being nothing more than a prick. Apologies don't cut it.

[Hekate]

25. I hope he's extremely sorry from the unemployment line. Jerk. nt

[Aristus]

28. Isn't it customary in some cultures to show remorse by rending your clothes, inflicting wounds

on your body, and blinding yourself? If this douche-nozzle does that, I'll believe he's sincere. Until then, it's just empty words from an empty police uniform...

[MadMaddie]

29. Too little too late

This was a forced apology if left up to him he wouldn't have done it.

He should lose his job this is beyond poor conduct.

[avaistheone1]

33. Sorry doesn't cut it.

There are no do overs in this case.

I hope this cop's sorry ass is fired. He has no judgment whatsoever.

[Piewhacket]

34. Ofc appology seems self serving, but dept is handing matter ok.

[Piewhacket]

35. Actually... apology sucks, inadequate.

[Occulus]

36. It's too damn little, too goddamn late. Remove him from the force.

This apology is completely self-serving and is issued for no other reason than to make both him and the department look a little bit better. The fact is, there is no adequate apology for what he did. If he had admitted that, I might- might- have a twinge of sympathy.

As it is, string him up and hang him out to dry. I'm fucking sick of arrogant cops who are terminally and continuously drunk on their authorit-a, and this officer and his actions make a perfect and very public example of what a Bad Cop, in the general sense, really is.

"Again, I am very sorry for what I did and ask for the forgiveness of all those touched by these unfortunate events."

So bring the lady back so the man can say goodbye and I'll accept your 'apology'.

Oh wait...

[No Elephants]

40. I'm sorry I got into big trouble for doing what so many others do all the time..

[PfcHammer]

42. Looks like a dirty bigot cop to me. He should watch

his 6 from now on. He's angered a lot of people.

[martymar64]

64. He'll eventually get his, those type often do

18750

[Chovexani]

43. More proof that no matter how much money or fame some of us get

When it comes down to it we are still just Ns. Sad but totally unsurprising.

This never would have happened to a white man.

[mellowchick]

45. too late

A petition has been started on petitionspot.com and it is titled Support the Moats family! Officer Powell should not be on the police force and that's what we are pushing for.

[Pastiche423]

47. URL for the petition...

http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/petitionspotcomsup

[rainbow4321]

50. The petition misidentfies Powell as a PLANO police officer

when he is really a DALLAS officer. This may explain why the Plano police are getting inundated with angry emails/callers that they are having to redirect to DPD.

[Pastiche423]

52. The author of the petition

can be contacted @: http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/petitionspotcomsup/contact/

[rainbow4321]

53. Thanks...

I just sent them a message! Given that it happened at Baylor Hospital in Plano, I guess some people are assuming it was a Plano officer.

[Pastiche423]

57. Thank you for catching it

[rainbow4321]

51. Whoever started the petition needs to correct it

Powell is NOT a Plano officer, he works for Dallas. It was a Plano cop who brought this whole thing to light, told his supervisor who then notified a DPD supervisor.

From the site:
A few seconds later a Plano Police office got behind Mr. Moats with lights flashing

[rainbow4321]

48. Plano police are trying to distance themselves from all of this

Because the hospital is IN Plano city limits people are thinking that they had something to do with this....so THEY are getting emails from around the country that they are having to redirect to DPD.
Also in the article is the Dallas Police Association (union) walking a fine line in trying to defend the guy. No doubt they had a hand in getting the officer set up with a lawyer.
What they leave out is this guy has a history of ugly comments..all of course deleted when he shut down his Xanga account:


Monday, August 28, 2006
The count downs begin:
18 days of work then the real work starts and I can shoot people

(there is a smiley next to the word "shoot")


Saturday, October 21, 2006
You drink, You drive, You rear end another car, You dont speak english, You smell like alcohol, You cant stand up straight, You cant walk a straight line, You go to jail!!!


http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/032809dnmetmoatsfolo.3d3c3e8.html

Others outraged by the incident continue to register their displeasure. A secretary at Dallas police headquarters said Friday that irate callers were still inundating the phone lines.

And even officials of a neighboring police department took steps to distance themselves from the incident.

"The Plano Police Department requests the media's assistance in clarifying the fact that this is a Dallas Police Department incident," said a news release. Plano police said e-mails and phone calls of complaints have rained on them from across the country.

The red light Moats ran is just inside the Dallas city limits and just down the street from the Plano hospital where Moats was pulled over. "Thus, all comments regarding this incident should be directed to the Dallas Police Department," the news release pointed out.

[JerseygirlCT]

55. Little late for it now, isn't it?

I guess it's good he apologized. But nothing's now going to bring back that chance to see her.

Too much ego and arrogance here. That "tough guy" stuff really should have no place. "Tough guys" don't think straight.

[lonestarnot]

56. He's in the wrong fucking profession. Get out you fuck!

[Bluebear]

59. Too little, too late, asspickle. nt

[MrsBrady]

60. I don't understand what a Dallas officer is doing in Plano

Plano has it's own police. Is the hospital on the border?
I need to look at a map.

Chief Kunkle is the Dallas police chief. This is confusing to me.

In any event. I have met Chief Kunkle, and he has helped to clean up the DPD...still lots of problems, though.
I would like to find out who HIRED the young officer...and the screening he received.

I'm sure they make the officer put out this statement.

The family should still sue, though.
And the officer should lose his job. IMO

[Hosnon]

61. He was a jerk and should be fired but at least the apology doesn't seem like b.s. nt.

[The Second Stone]

63. He only remorsefully accepts his responsibility

"With great remorse I accept my responsibility for adding to their grief in an already difficult time."


I hope that Moats refuses to accept the fake apology and instead issues a good old biblical curse on "Officer" Powell. What a complete scum. A disgrace to all police officers who uphold the duty. May every officer turn away from this fool and offer no salute, no nod, no word.

[Summermoondancer]

66. He shouldn´t have held him up in the first place.

I am quite sure that the man told him that his mother was dying and he was in the hospital parking lot for cripes sake...don´t they do IQ tests on these cops? Evidently he failed his right along with his ability to have compassion....he is saving his butt and nothing else..if he had been sorry he wouldn´t have waited for public outrage to say he was sorry.

[Iggo]

72. Yes, they do do IQ tests.

However, they throw out the high scores.

[noamnety]

67. Even his apology has control freak written all over it.

"I have attempted to reach Mr. Moats to express my personal condolences directly to his family and my regret about my actions. While these efforts have been unsuccessful so far, I hope we can talk soon."

Sounds exactly like an abusive spouse. The people he stopped clearly do NOT want to talk to him. He's still hoping he can manipulate them into meeting with him - because hey, that's what HE wants.

How about respecting their wishes instead of trying impose his own on them?

[Brooklyns_Finest]

69. I never give cops the benefit of a doubt

But I was very surprised at the reaction to this event that I saw on this cop forum.

http://www.911jobforums.com/showthread.php?t=61660

For the most part, these guys agree that the officer Powell was an ass.

[Iggo]

71. Fuck that motherfucker.

He's sorry he's getting so much negative pub. That's what he's sorry about.

Fuck you, Officer Powell. Sideways. And with sandpaper.

You cannot fix this. You irrevocably fucked up this time. Eat it, fucker.