Cop Who Kept Man From Dying Kin Suspended

(CBS/AP)  A police officer was placed on administrative leave Thursday over 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.

Officer Robert Powell also drew his gun during the March 18 incident involving Houston Texans running back Ryan Moats in the Dallas suburb of Plano, police said.

"I can screw you over," he said at one point in the videotaped incident. When another officer came with word that Moats' mother-in-law was indeed dying, Powell's response was: "All right. I'm almost done."

Dallas Police Chief David Kunkle apologized to the family and announced that Powell would be on paid leave pending an internal investigation.

"When we at the command staff reviewed the tape, we were embarrassed, disappointed," Kunkle said. "It's hard to find the right word and still be professional in my role as the police chief. But the behavior was not appropriate." CBS 11: Watch apology.

Powell, 25, a three-year member of the force, stopped Moats' SUV outside Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano after Moats rolled through a red light.

Police officials said Powell told his commanders he believed he was doing his job, and that he drew his gun but did not point it. Kunkle said Powell was not necessarily acting improperly when he pulled his weapon out, but that once he realized what was happening should have put the gun back, apologized and offered to help the family in any way.

"His behavior, in my opinion, did not exhibit the common sense, the discretion, the compassion that we expect our officers to exhibit," Kunkle said.

Moats' wife, who was in the car along with other relatives, said Powell pointed his weapon at her.

"He was pointing a gun at me as soon as I got out of the car," Tamishia Moats told The Dallas Morning News.

Ryan Moats told KRLD-FM in Dallas in a phone interview Thursday that after the officer pointed the gun at his wife, he pointed it at him. "I just tried to stay as still as possible to not scare him or do anything to make him react," he said.

He earlier told the newspaper he thought Powell should be fired but backed off that in his radio interview.

"All I know is what he did was wrong," Moats said. "He stole a moment away from me that I can never get back. I'm really not the judge on what should happen to him."

The Moats family did not immediately return messages left by The Associated Press. Powell did not respond to requests for comment through the Dallas police union.

Video from a dashboard camera inside the officer's vehicle, obtained by Dallas-Fort Worth station WFAA-TV, revealed an intense exchange in which the officer threatened to jail Moats.

He ordered Tamishia Moats, 27, to get back in the SUV, but after pausing for a few seconds, she and another woman rushed into the hospital. She was by the side of her mother, 45-year-old Jonetta Collinsworth, when she died a short time later from breast cancer.

"Get in there," said Powell, yelling at Tamishia Moats as she exited the vehicle. "Let me see your hands!"

"Excuse me, my mom is dying," Tamishia Moats said. "Do you understand?"

Ryan Moats explained that he waited until there was no traffic before proceeding through the red light. When Powell asked for proof of insurance, Moats grew more agitated and told the officer to go find it.

"My mother-in-law is dying! Right now! You're wasting my time!" Moats yelled. "I don't understand why you can't understand that."

As they argued, the officer got irritated.

"Shut your mouth," the officer said. "You can either settle down and cooperate or I can just take you to jail for running a red light."

A nurse told officers Moats's mother in law really was dying, reports CBS News correspondent Mark Strassmann. Powell's response? "I'm almost done here."

By the time the 26-year-old NFL player received a ticket and a lecture from Powell, about 13 minutes had passed. When he and Collinsworth's father entered the hospital, they learned Collinsworth was dead.

Earl Jackson, Collinsworth's father, said he knew what Powell was doing was wrong. "This guy, he wouldn't listen to nobody," Jackson said in an interview with Dallas-Fort Worth station KDFW-TV.

Moats said he wouldn't have had a problem with the officer giving him a ticket after letting him go into the hospital.

"I don't know what he was thinking," he told KRLD-FM. "Basically, I was just shocked. I was very shocked that he wasn't budging on it. I even said I can't believe that this was happening."

Kunkle said the video showed that Moats and his wife "exercised extraordinary patience, restraint in dealing with the behavior of our officer."

"At no time did Mr. Moats identify himself as an NFL football player or expect any kind of special consideration," Kunkle said. "He handled himself very, very well."

The Moats family, who are black, said they can't help but think that race might have played a part in the white officer's behavior.

"I think he should lose his job," Ryan Moats said.

When the exchange was at its most contentious, Powell said he could tow Moats' SUV if he didn't have insurance and that he could arrest him for fleeing because he didn't immediately stop when Powell turned on his sirens. The pursuit lasted a little more than a minute.

"I can screw you over," Powell said. "I'd rather not do that. Your attitude will dictate everything that happens."

The ticket issued to Moats was dismissed, Dallas police spokesman Lt. Andy Harvey said.

Texans spokesman Kevin Cooper said the team had no comment.

Moats, a third-round draft choice of the Philadelphia Eagles in 2005 out of Louisiana Tech, was cut by the Eagles in August and later signed with the Texans. In three seasons as a backup, he's rushed for 441 yards and scored four touchdowns.

He was a standout at Bishop Lynch High School, a private school in Dallas, rushing for more than 2,600 yards and 33 touchdowns as a senior.

[tbholz]

Two years ago a very similar experience happened to me. The only differences are: It was daylight in Baltimore and I am a white female being held up by a black officer. It did not make headline news and I told him to follow me into the ICU or get the out of my way. I then ran to an open elevator, he followed me and stopped the doors from closing. With all the patience I could manage, I stated that if my Grandmother dies and you cost me those last seconds, will you be able to live with that? Reluctantly, after a hospital lobby full of people stared, he walked into the elevator. He watched me walk in to the ICU. I never saw him again and did not receive a citation. No apology was needed. I made it in time. This story brought back the same frustration I encountered, only I had a better ending and, in the end, an officer who actually heard what I said. I lived in Texas for 5 years (military) and was glad to get out of there.

[author20]

I think it is America that needs more compassion -- they don't believe Black people's horror stories unless it is on video. Ameicans act like the Germans -- they ignore mass murder of Blacks by government actions and policy.

In a few months, the celebrity NFL player will get a settlement check. Non-celebrity Black victimes typically get nothing if they aren't run out of town or harassed by police unions, supporters and thugs. This guy is an example of the rule, not the exception to the rule. Mark Fuhrman got promoted and given the best job in the LAPD for a reason -- he behaved just like this monster.

[akrobynhood]

The officer does need to learn more about compassion and I believe he will, however, the Moats shouldn't have run the red light, also he nor should his wife have been argumentative or belligerent with the officer. This is an example of how little respect people have for Leo?s. I am sure if all occupants of the vehicle would have stayed inside and not gotten out and started shouting and waving their self-righteous hands in the air, things would have worked out differently. If they would have cooperated with the Leo, then there would not have been as much time wasted.

[Atheas]

Why am I not shocked at this....

[Atheas]

Man, I wish I could get PAID LEAVE for pulling a gun on a family rushing to the hospital and then whiping my authoritatice d**k around to a man in distress. Sign me up for that job.

I mean, im a jerk, but 6 weeks of classes and i can get paid to be one?! AND get vaction when i do?! Sign me up

[aziridine]

One of the most disturbing abuses of late was the cop in west Haven CT who arrested a priest for video taping his actions. The cop claimed he didn't know what was in the priests hand, but when the video was recovered the cop clearly asks why the priests i videotaping him. In other words the cop 1) wanted for his actions not to be recorded and 2) LIED in an attempt to hide his misdeeds. The worst aspect of this tendency of the police brass to support this kind of action.

I think its great that so many people now have phones capable of recording these atrocities. What would be nice would be a clearing house through which people could anonymously submit videos of any police action they recorded. To make such a system even more effective perhaps we could require police departments to post the disciplinary actions taken along with the videos!!!

Perhaps we can reintroduce the notion of "public servant" to these guys. There is NO EXCUSE whatsoever for an officer to be anything but courteous towards a ciizen, ANY citizen. There is also NO EXCUSE whatsoever for any officer to do anything that he would not be proud to have appear in opublic on videotape. EVER!!!!

..and before I get replies to this effect....YES, I do know and understand the pressures that cops face.

[JoeBlowski]

This is the norm for the "police culture" in America. The first two minutes were within bounds, but once the man and family stated mom was dying. Common sense should have taken over. Let them go, confirm the story. IF a lie, then "screw them over". The last 15 minutes of the video ( I watched it all) is just inexcusable. The "attitude" lecture and handing out the ticket after a nurse and another officer confirmed the story is just psychopathic by most standards but normal behavior for arrogant, unaccountable police union scum. Most disturbing is the officer's advice for what Moats should have done after he sat through listening to the officer's arrogant mouth for 15 minutes as his mother died. Moats apparently has more in common with being a civilized man of honor and personal discipline than the trailer trash police pig ANIMAL (and his defenders) who threatened to "screw him".

Meanwhile, every neighborhood in America knows the ease with which underage children are exposed to drug dealers. Where are the usual police union scum "enthusiasm" for putting an end to drug dealing? No where to be found in decades. It's time Patriotic Americans replaced the gang of thugs, scum and trailer trash we have posing as current police and replace them with actual, intelligent, educated citizens. It's time we put an end to this.

[mp3232]

About 10 years ago, I was pulled over near Texarkana, TX because "I was not from these parts." I had out of state tags and I was enroute to another duty station. I was with my wife and I was followed very closely outside the city limits before being pulled over on a country road. I was not issued a ticket, but was given a warning about having tinted windows and a 30 minute lecture on who was in charge. I was obviously upset so he continued to try to escalate the situation by talking about what he could do to me. The cop that pulled me over had tinted windows!! My car was searched for no reason. After I showed my military i.d. and driver's license, his whole demeanor changed. He told me to have a nice day and watch my speed!? I thought I was pulled over for tinted windows. Hmmm. Some people are tired of hearing stories such as this one, but until these injustices stop, those who are treated unfairly will continue to fight back!

[deathwind1]

The Officer was Clearly in the Wrong But I don't believe he should lose his job Because I feel He will learn from what he did and be a good officer---Any time a argument starts He will remember what he did and will give the citizen a break---I don't see that if they fire him will change anything---Do I think he will get Fired---If they don't there could be big problems in that area from the general public---But I really think the officer will resign rather than keep apologizing. I also think there will be a law suite filled and the police will lose that Lawsuit

[perm3800a]

Nancy - you mean psychopath. They kill animals for fun as youth. Sociopaths are not naturally psychopathic and most truly successful men show sociopathic tendencies. Sociopaths believe themselves a species apart, have a low empathy index and are very focused. They have a tendency to indulge their whims, being unable to distinquish between desire and need. Some are born, some are made and some acquire it through socialization. Be very careful throwing such labels around.
Staci - besides being an illiterate message, it is also so far off the mark. I agree that had Mr. Moats been white, the officer would have probably followed him into the hospital to finish the ticket but, given Mr. Powell's behavior, he still would have written the ticket. He did treat the Moats' differently because it was an expensive car full of white people - or at least, this is what the video we have seen appears to show. If you want to go historic - black men owned slaves in America. Not all American slaves were black. Most of the Indian nations of the American south were sold into and maintained under slavery. Don't paint an entire institution (law enforcement) with a brush colored by a few individuals. The Oakland transit stop was an transit cop, not a policeman. He was only supposed to carrying a taser. He had already been 'bounced' from the police department as a hot head.