Recall if you will (and it’s pretty difficult to forget) the flagrant mistreatment of Houston Texans tailback Ryan Moats by Robert Powell, an officer with the Dallas Police Department. Just because it bears repeating, Moats and his wife were held at gunpoint by Powell after Moats rolled through a red light after stopping and checking for traffic, then pulled into the hospital two blocks away instead of stopping immediately for Powell. Moats was then detained and lectured in a cruelly authoritarian manner by Powell outside the hospital as his mother-in-law passed away.
(Oh, and pointing a gun at Moats’ wife, at right, wasn’t a good move either.)
As the story has caught the nation’s attention, the Dallas PD has decided to run some damage control, issuing a public apology to Moats and placing Powell on a paid suspension (it’s like a vacation, but instead of going to a beach, you worry). And yet we can’t help but wonder if there’d be any publicity, suspension, apology or anything if Moats wasn’t a professional athlete.
Let’s look at the footage again. It’s rough and intense, and I even had to stop it a couple times when I watched it yesterday because it pissed me off too much. Moats has more patience than I do. But there’s something worth pointing out here:
During the beginning, Powell’s tough cop act puts the blame on Moats for running a red light, reminding him several times that such an act is illegal. (Moats, we’re sure, forgot that momentarily and appreciated the reminder.) Once the gravity of the situation becomes a little clearer, the cop calmly and subtly shifts the blame on Moats from the red light offense to his decision to pull into the hospital instead. It’s all just a routine power trip to Powell, who even has the temerity to say that Moats’ dying mother-in-law “doesn’t matter right now.” There’s a difference between authority and infallibility, and Powell either doesn’t know or doesn’t care about the distinction.
So what happens if the nation doesn’t hear about this? What if, in this situation, Ryan Moats is Bryan Moats, a black man who isn’t famous, but is still on the wrong side of the wrong cop in the wrong city? (I mean… have you ever been to Dallas?) Because honestly, young cops power tripping isn’t news… unless a celebrity’s involved, it seems like.
So what’s really the issue, Dallas PD? Is it that an officer harassed a man in a time of great need… or that he harassed the wrong one? I mean, it’s fine that the DALLAS MORNING NEWS is now editorializing that Powell “doesn’t deserve to wear the badge.” But that sort of ex post facto moralistic grandstanding ignores the larger truth that this type of sh*t happens all the time, especially to young black men. Ta-Nehisi Coates wasn’t just out to make stuff up when he said this on his blog for THE ATLANTIC:
[C]heck out Moats response to the cop. I think a lot of black men will relate. It reminded me so much of how my mother taught me to deal with the police.
Moats’ response, just for the record, led the cop to threaten him with jail time. As a matter of fact, Powell said straight up that Moats’ “attitude sucks right now.” The Dallas PD praised it later, which again is all fine and good, but was Powell’s behavior all that aberrant from what one expects from a policeman? It was extremely prickish behavior, but, well… do you happen to notice any protocol that he’s breaking? I don’t.
Apologies are better than no apologies, and punishment for this grossly insensitive behavior is better than no punishment. Administrative leave is a fine first step. But the real problem is that this incident happened in the first place, and were it not for a set of unbelievably unfortunate circumstances (unfortunate for everyone, if you count the fact that Moats is famous), it’d have been totally legal and allowed - probably encouraged - to happen again.
2:24 pm on March 27th, 2009
actually, i have no problem with what the cop did. but he is white, so, he must be guilty of something.
2:54 pm on March 27th, 2009
What an ignorant comment, you are probably one cops like Powell that was picked on when he was younger. "I'm tough now that I have a badge!!"
3:05 pm on March 27th, 2009
The south of the states will never change until the baby boomer generation is dead & gone.
5:27 pm on March 27th, 2009
This cop has no commen sense or ANY sense of affording anyone but himself compassion. What an a**hole.
5:30 pm on March 27th, 2009
YO- you're an idiot. had you been in moats' position, im sure you would be singing a different tune.
6:36 pm on March 27th, 2009
Lilly white and sickened by it. I personally had something vaguely similiar happen to me by a N.Y. tropper 3 weeks ago in my next store neighbors driveway. The arrogance and aggressive nature was beyond believe. I have been told by active N.Y. troopers as well as retired troopers to make a complaint (all friends) and I will start the paper work as soon as I sign off. In N.Y. once the complaint is made there is an EXTENSIVE amount of work put in by the super. of said trooper. It says alot that other troopers are encouraging me to do it as a few bad apple things etc. I would hope there are alot of embarrassed troppers in Dallas. As far as the Village of Pulaski goes you all should be cause a few of your youngins are ruining the rep that you vets have earned. I know for a fact in N.Y these troopers are not taught this at the academy it is just them, and a leopard and a spot thing again etc. It is pathetic and embarrassing. Stand bye "hair trigger" as you are going back to charm school.
10:45 pm on March 27th, 2009
The cop never asked one question about Moats' dying family member. He could have walked Moats into the hospital to verify his story and while doing that explained to Moats that he should have pulled over earlier regardless. This cop was dick…plain and simple.
4:42 am on March 28th, 2009
Cop on a power trip, plain and simple. You're right though, I'm sure this kind of crap happens everywhere all the time. I can understand being a police officer is a tough job, and people try to "run game" on you all the time, but this was clear to anybody with half a brain. He didn't even acknowledge what Moats was telling him until he said "that doesn't matter right now." As if running a red light would be more important than seeing a dying family member. Dick.
9:16 am on March 28th, 2009
I've been writing comments about this incident at Yardbarker for the past several days, and am very familiar with it. What I didn't like and don't agree with is your remark about this happening frequently to young black men. Grow up Numbnuts! It happens to all young men and I truly do not believe that it happens to blacks more often. That's just media sensationalistic crap!
1:26 pm on March 28th, 2009
Rocking your kidding yourself if you really believe that, rite or wrong black people in general are profiled by society and especially ignorant white officers and that my friend is a fact.
2:35 pm on March 28th, 2009
Lets get something straight here. On behalf of the cop…an unknown dark SUV ran a stop sign, and proceeded at speed to disobey a police officer's lights and sirens. The unknown SUV pulled into a hospital parking lot at which time multiple unknown frantic occupants suddenly get out, some of them fleeing the scene. I might have pulled my weapon too. PERIOD! As a fellow cop its easy for the country to pick apart the situation AFTER watching the tape, listening to every word said, and knowing why Mr. Moats was in a rush to get to the hospital in the first place. Now on behalf of the Moats family. After watching the video it should have taken the officer less than a minute to realize that his safety was not in jeopardy and that the occupants were in distress about something taking place in the hospital. Everything that took place after the 1st 30-60 seconds was handled completely incorrectly and reflects poorly on the rest of law enforcement. Both parties are to blame. If Moats pulled over in the 1st place, 99% of cops I know would have said "take care and god bless your family" but instead we have a small pursuit, a bone head cop and the whole country monday morning the video. Notice I never used the words race, white or black. Not necessary
3:14 pm on March 28th, 2009
There seems to be conflicting reports about the officer holding them at gunpoint. Im sure if he did, he was acting appropriately with the situation. I am a police officer, and from what I saw, the officer did everything right. Even though he was in a hurry to get to the hospital, that is not an excuse to disregard the law. What if he killed someone while running that red light. Would that be ok because he was in a hurry? or because he is a minority? or a perfessional football player? The traffic stop lasted approximately 15 minutes, which is a reasonable time for any officer to conduct a traffic stop. It is unfortuneate his mother in law passed away before he could get inside. The Chief of Police should have backed his officer's actions, because from what I saw and heard, he did everything he was suppose to do and was polite about it. The Chief instead appologized for his officer's action, stating that his actions were wrong. In any other situation, the Chief would probably commend his officer's actions. Wonder if this has something to do with him being a famous sports player or a minority.
9:11 pm on March 28th, 2009
Ron-I hope to God you're not a cop in my city. Wow. Just…wow.
12:59 am on March 29th, 2009
typical liberal pansy comments- why no mention of oakland? cop was 100% correct- only made to apologize due to pc
4:14 am on March 29th, 2009
Mark, how could the cop have `profiled` the driver of the SUV? It was dark and the SUV was too far away for the cop to see inside of it. You're right though, I don't buy into this 'they stopped me cause I'm black' crap. There's too many smart-asses that think that they can freely break the law and then use the race card to, beat the rap. Uh-uh, you break the law and get busted, you pay the price for your actions.
4:18 am on March 29th, 2009
Mark, how could the cop have `profiled` the driver of the SUV? It was dark and the SUV was too far away for the cop to see inside of it. You're right though, I don't buy into this 'they stopped me cause I'm black' crap. There's too many smart-asses that think that they can freely break the law and then use the race card to, beat the rap. Uh-uh, you break the law and get busted, you pay the price for your actions. Ron, you're as much of the problem as these whiny kids yelling 'race'. Officer Powell handled it 'by the book', but this was clearly not a by the book situation.
5:27 pm on March 30th, 2009
Virginia you are sorta rite and thanks for admitting your career BUT if I was in that situation I would have done the same thing. He was half a mile from the Hosp, his priority was getting his wife to the hosp and there is no such thing as a quick stop especially when you are black with an expensive vehicle. ALTHOUGH I hope the officer would have let him go valuable (mins at Minumun) time would have been lost. If the gentlemen was miles from the hosp. I am sure he would have stopped but that would be a problem cause in his state of mind I am fairly certain he would have jumped from the car instead of letting the officer mossy(sp) on up after he notified the world about where he was and all these black peps in the expensive car, and him jumping out would have set off a chain of events that trust me would have quickly escalated especially in the BLACK mans state of mind and we both no that hopefully you more than me. What would you have done V. with this large black man who probably appeared crazed charging your vehicle? Unfortunately I have been stopped a few times and waiting for the officer to come to me is part of the process and he wasn't gonna wait. Nope he did the rite thing he got his wife to the hosp. where her mother died shortly after she got there.. And lets not forget the man had his flashers on an international code of a problem especially 2500 ft from a hosp, most bad guys don't like bringing attention to themselves. And a gun drawn in a hosp. parking lot with 2 crying women. Nope he did the rite thing and would do it again as would this lilly white 50 year old(but look 49) every time, we all can't jump out of cars and flash a badge at a trooper and then get a priv. escourt.
5:53 pm on March 30th, 2009
Ron where I come from being told to shutup repeatedly is not polite especially when the officer new at that point that there was in fact a legitmate concern. Also whats with this pursue thing , the man ROLLED thru a redlight with little or no traffic in fact was waived on by another driver with his flashing lights on, why would you pursue that and risk lives of people who are not involved, it happens everyday innocents killed by over zealous peace officers pursuing over traff. infractions. Hell in syracuse N.Y approx. 2 yrs ago a tropper lost his own life when he hit a tree PURSUING a motorcycle that was speeding. The trooper at some points exceeded 100 mph and for what, his life for a speeding ticket. Since it is polite Ron shutup. And as an after thought this Oak. officer new he was being filmed, imagine if it his word against the other guy?.What a jerk, and not real bright.
6:04 pm on March 30th, 2009
Ron just read your WHOLE post and you are an idiot,what planet they beam you down from planet I was picked on my whole life cause I am and always will be a putz, but now I have a badge. You are pathetic and how I wish I could say that to your face without your BIG BIG gun and your I'm gonna taser you thing cause I"m a tou? Your an embarrasement to any force you belong to never mind the human race, you literally make me want to puke.
6:49 pm on March 30th, 2009
Just got done puking Ronald the putz and thank you weigh 3#less and its getting near bathing suit weather. Please more of your ignorant crap(god its scary but you are an officer of some kind) 4 the love of God Ronnie the putz keep posting you could be famous, they could name a diet after you, forget the Scarsdale diet, Atkins old news you could make your on web page Hi I'm Ronald the putz read my thoughts on my site and puke up 3-5 # a day guaranteed I have been doing it to people my whole pathetic life and I can do it for you also,and of course I am polite so all of you shutup and puke thru your nose it will speed up your metabolism for even more weight loss, so lets all shut up together and beat obesity HEY thats an order I'm a cop. (Then we all laugh and say Thanks Ronald the PUTZ u the man).
4:25 pm on April 1st, 2009
Resigning is always better than being fired and I'm sure those where his options.
1:06 pm on April 2nd, 2009
It seems to me that you Mark, are in fact just another idiot who thinks they have a clue how police work is done. First of all, Moats wasn't speeding or driving recklessly. Therefor, there would be no reason why the officer should not have continued to follow the suv and attempt to stop it. Things would have probably would have been different if Moats had just pulled over and explained himself to the officer, rather than keep on driving and disregarding the officers lights and siren. I agree that the NY State officer shouldnt have chased the motorcycle for a simple traffic charge. I have never chased a motorcycle for a traffic infraction, and the only reason I would is if it were a serious crime. Most departments leave the decision to pursue on traffic charges up to the officer, but some departments dont allow pursuits for traffic only. As long as the officer's supervisor allows a pursuit to continue, the officer pursueing needs to make the decision to continue or stop the pursuit. Traffic, time of day, and weather conditions play a big roll in this. In this case, there was no speed involved, so the officer was perfectly justified to continueing to follow until the driver stops or is forced to stop. Just so you also know, it is illegal to drive with your flashers on, doesnt matter if he was near the hospital or not. you use your flashers when something is wrong, and you PULL OVER, not continue to drive. I think you need to do a ride along so you can get an idea how police officers do their difficult job. On a side note, you sir, are the putz. Your two postings on 3-30 were statements made by an idiot. After reading those, I know for a fact that you are just another dumb citizen, that has his head up his you no what, that I frequently encounter everyday at work. If you stop posting stuff that is so off the wall, stupid and unrelated, you might just come off as a halfway intelligent person