To serve and protect. It may not be the “official” motto of police departments across North America, but it certainly should be, and I say should be, the driving force of their service to the public. It certainly is true that police officers put their life on the line everyday, and every time they put that uniform on and start their shift it is possible that they might not come home that night. That is a difficult thing to deal with, for the officer and for the family as well. But.
We are not talking about a life or death situation here for the officer, we are not even talking about a situation of possible harm to the officer. In fact, I think it is rather remarkable that the officer involved was NOT cold cocked in the side of the head by Mr. Moats before running into the hospital. I am not saying I am condoning that type of behavior, I am just a little surprised it didn’t happen. I first read about this story last night, and at first kind of shook my head at the unbelievable callousness of the officer. But after further reflection realized that this may be pointing to a much deeper problem.
This is not the first time this week I have heard of “rookie” cops doing stupid things. In Vancouver Canada, an officer was seen entering a women’s washroom with his gun drawn in search of a suspect, even though the blood trail was no where near the entrance, and the throng of people gathered around certainly would have told him if the suspect had entered there. I have not heard of any lawsuits regarding that case yet. Imagine the horror ladies, sitting down to do your business and having a red faced cop kick the door open with gun drawn? Not a pretty picture.
Are we starting to see a pattern here? Are the police officers coming out of the academy less patient than the ones that came before? Keep in mind the officer that kept Mr. Moats in the parking lot was only on the force for 3 years before this instance. I would be curious to know if the training has been changed in some way to reflect the times. We are seeing a rise in violent crime, it is not as safe as it was 10 years ago. Is the police academy changing with the times?
According to WFAA-TV after listening to the cars audio recording the officer, Mr Robert Powell, was concerned about missing insurance papers. Apparently because Mr. Moats had run a red light and as most of us know, showing insurance is standard procedure when being questioned by an officer while driving. Again, we are not questioning Mr Powell’s procedural actions, which I’m sure on paper are top notch. But rather we, or should I say I, am questioning his actions as a human being. Our cops must take risks and face danger sometimes to protect us, yes. But in serving us it only requires something a lot less sinister, a heart.
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7 users commented in " NFL Player Prevented From Seeing Dying Mom "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackWhat a cold hearted thing to do! OVer insurance, this man wanted to say goodbye to his mother in law…but the power trippin rookie felt it was more important to see insuranc papers??? This cop needs a lesson in humanity. He took the last moments of a family to be together with their dying loved one…a moment they will never get back…over a ticket..where did the cop think this guy was going to go??? The nurses pleaded with him…I HOPE HE WAS REPRIMANDED FOR HIS POWER TRIP!
what kills me is, it’s not like this dude “blew” thru a red light at 60 miles an hour, driving recklessly. he had on his hazards… and proceeded slowly thru the light after another car waved him past. complete strangers obviously recognized there was an issue/emergency, why couldn’t the officer?
Mr. Moats explained this point to the cop and the cop laughs and says, “That doesn’t matter!” I think this is the crux of the problem. Mr. Moats life-changing event (and that of the dying woman’s father who was also kept from entering the building to be with his daughter at her time of death) just didn’t MATTER to “Officer” powell.
What was the “emergency” that caused Mr. Moats to blow redlights and stop signs. You must need to watch the video again.
That officer acted with PLENTY of restraint, more than I would have for sure. The dying mother in law was in the hospital not the vehicle racing to the emergency room.
Mr. Moats could have done a number of things to alert the officer and his superiors to the situation he faced, but chose not to.
His wife should be arrested as well for fleeing the scene, and for interferring with the officer.
This reminds me how fortunate I am that I do not have to be a policeman. Respect for the law has eroded to the point that the majority side with the idiots breaking (multiple) laws.
My prayers are with Officer Powell, and his family. Mr Moats should be punished, and VERY thankful he did not kill or injure anyone with his reckless, and disrespectful behavior.
Wayneraltman said,
in March 28th, 2009 at 12:08 am
What was the “emergency” that caused Mr. Moats to blow redlights and stop signs. You must need to watch the video again.
That officer acted with PLENTY of restraint, more than I would have for sure. The dying mother in law was in the hospital not the vehicle racing to the emergency room.
Mr. Moats could have done a number of things to alert the officer and his superiors to the situation he faced, but chose not to.
His wife should be arrested as well for fleeing the scene, and for interferring with the officer.
This reminds me how fortunate I am that I do not have to be a policeman. Respect for the law has eroded to the point that the majority side with the idiots breaking (multiple) laws.
My prayers are with Officer Powell, and his family. Mr Moats should be punished, and VERY thankful he did not kill or injure anyone with his reckless, and disrespectful behavior.
WTF??
Did the dudes mom die before he got to see her?
Pickles yes she did.
Wayneraltman… You know what, I hope you have a similar experience in life and not get to the dying member of your family in time. he didnt cause any accidents, no one was hurt. He was trying to get IN to the hospital. 2 nurses came out and begged the cop to let him in. Where was he going to go? If he had such a hard on for giving the guy a ticket he could have waited a few minutes. It didnt take long for his mother to be dead you ignorant ass. Im glad the chief of police disagrees with you.
So, Mr. Moats drove thru the light at 20 mph. Sounds like he was totally out of control eh? WOW GO GET ‘EM!!!
It’s interesting that the cop’s Superiors don’t agree with you Wayne, and they know much more of what IS, than you do.
I was racing to get a little sick kitten that my son found to our Vet. He looked very sick. The Vet would be closing in 15 minutes. Yes going fast, but where I safely could, and NOT 60 mph. A Policeman pulled me over, checking my information when I told him we had a very sick kitten and were rushing to the Vet who was closing shortly. My son was holding him in a blanket. The Policeman saw him, and gave me my cards back and said “Go ahead - GO!! - but be careful!” We tried…
Some people have hearts Wayne, and this was only a baby kitten!! He knew I would be prudent and careful.
What could he have done Wayne? Flashers? I thought he had them on. WHAT? Told him WHO he was?
Everything in life is not BLACK or WHITE. Plenty of greys out there. Are you always so RIGID in your thinking? Life is constant ajustments, don’t you think? Your rigidness amazes me. So uncaring, so cold, so well just RIGID!
WIFE FLEEING THE SCENE? SHE wasn’t the driver. Where did you get this kind of odd thinking, so heartless, cruel, rigid, uncaring?? Do you know?
Wayne, give a little person some level of power and ALL HELL BREAKS LOOSE as in this case. How old was the cop 21? How long on the force? Maybe therein lies the answer. Shame youth is wasted on the young.
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