Chief 'Embarrassed' by
Hospital Delay
Created On: Thursday, 26 Mar 2009, 2:46 PM CDT
- Dallas police Chief David Kunkle apologizes for a traffic stop at a local hospital that prevented an NFL player from seeing a relative before she died.
The incident happened earlier this month when Houston Texans' running back Ryan Moats was visiting his mother-in-law, who was dying at a Plano hospital.
Moats and his wife, along with other family members, drove to Baylor Regional Medical Center on March 18 on word that Jonetta Collinsworth was dying.
Inside the hospital parking lot, 25-year-old Officer Robert Powell pulled over the family's sport utility vehicle for having rolled through a red light.
Despite pleas from Moats and his family about the dire situation, the officer refused to allow family members into the hospital and, according to Kunkle, "berated" Moats while demanding proof of insurance. The officer also repeatedly threatened to arrest him, Kunkle said.
Moats' wife ran into the hospital and was there when her mother died, but Moats missed the woman's passing.
On Thursday, Kunkle said he was "embarrassed" and "disappointed" by Officer Powell's behavior. Kunkle also issued a formal apology to Moats and his family.
"His behavior, in my opinion, did not exhibit the common sense, the discretion, the compassion that we expect our officers to exhibit," Kunkle said. "It just seems to be so unreasonable based on the circumstances … Hard to find the right words and still be professional in my role as a police chief," Kunkle said.
He also said the Moats' family exercised extraordinary patience and restraint dealing with the officer.
He said Officer Powell would be placed on paid leave and that the department would file administrative charges against him. Possible disciplinary action could include dismissal, Kunkle said.
Officer Powell has been on the force for nearly three years.
Kunkle said the DPD learned about the incident via a tip from a Plano officer who witnessed the traffic stop.
http://www.myfoxdfw.com/dpp/news/Chief_Embarrassed_by_Hospital (http://www.myfoxdfw.com/dpp/news/Chief_Embarrassed_by_Hospital)
Just another policeman who exemplifies common sense, compassion and uses his badge for good.
PLANO - A police officer was placed on administrative leave Thursday after pulling over an NFL player who was rushing to see his dying mother-in-law, drawing his gun, threatening the player with jail and holding him in the hospital parking lot as the woman died.
Dallas Police Chief David Kunkle apologized to the family of Houston Texans running back Ryan Moats over the March 18 incident in the Dallas suburb of Plano and announced Officer Robert 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."
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 reporters.
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.
Powell, a three-year member of the force, stopped Moats' SUV outside Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano after Moats rolled through a red light. Video from a dashboard camera inside the officer's vehicle revealed an intense exchange in which the officer threatened to jail Moats.
He ordered Tamishia Moats 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 27-year-old 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, 25, said. "You can either settle down and cooperate or I can just take you to jail for running a red light."
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.
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 exchange soon ended and Powell returned to his cruiser to write a ticket. A few minutes later, another officer approached Powell to tell him a nurse said the mother-in-law was dying right then and Moats needed to get into the hospital.
"All right. I'm almost done," Powell said in response.
Texans spokesman Kevin Cooper said the team had no comment.
The ticket issued to Moats was dismissed, Dallas Police spokesman Lt. Andy Harvey said.
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.
I saw the video. It was a pretty unfortunate event. If placed in the same situation, I would have probably been tasered from behind for ignoring the cop and running into the hospital.
It's a shame...no doubt about it. I'd say that cop has what they refer to as the John Wayne syndrome....
This cop needs to be "promoted" to MALL COP! Head of Mall security.
Roman Proverb: "Promote him then get rid of him".
OCKLAWAHA