Randy Inman
Bruce Bostwick
James Rickard
jesse-podoll
Robin PottratzRyan Moats Incident
March 26th 2009 22:26
Ryan Moats was en route to the hospital after getting a call from hospital staff that his mother-in-law was dying. Naturally, Moats and family loaded into the car and sped off to the hospital to be there for any last moment they might be able to have with her. In doing so, Moats encountered a red light very close to the hospital. At this point he stopped; checked for traffic; then proceeded to go through the red light. At this point a police officer, Officer Robert Powell, attempted to pull over the vehicle as his dashboard camera rolled.
After watching the video and reading the article, I have come to the conclusion that the officer was initially correct in his actions - however - once he was aware of the situation he could have handled things very differently.
From the police officer's point of view - yes, a traffic violation had occurred. He pursued the vehicle and followed it all the way to the hospital's emergency room entrance. This should have been the officer's first clue that this situation could have a little more behind it then he first thought. Then when a rightfully hysterical woman got out, he - again correctly - may have drawn his gun if he felt threatened. Than at this point, however, he was made aware of the reason for the erratic driving and non-stopping for the police car. From there, he should have let them go. The car was parked - he was parked behind it, it wasn't going anywhere. If he really wanted to verify the situation at this point could have simply waited (15 seconds or so based on the video) for backup to arrive and then he could have gone into the emergency room to check in with staff there. From there, if he still wanted to issue the tickets - running a red light, fleeing, parking illegally, or even arresting him - he could have easily done so.
Having never been in Moats situation of rushing to the hospital as a close family member was dying - I could in no way begin to describe what I would be feeling. Emotionally, I would have been at my wits end. I have to give Ryan Moats credit for maintaining his composure and getting through this without further incident. At several points in the video you can hear the officer be told of the situation - yet there is no urgency on his part. In fact, at one point a nurse comes out and even tries to explain that it was their fault for giving Moats the terrifying phone call - all to no avail. Moats is an NFL running back for the Houston Texans - had he wanted to get into that ER I'm relatively certain that - barring a gun or a taser - he could have.
Inevitably, this will somehow be twisted into a race issue. This fact is very sad and only adds to the tragic story that this is turning out to be for all parties involved.
It seems that this is far from over and even Dallas Police Chief, David Kunkle, has spoken out against his officer's actions. Again, I feel the officer was well within his rights to react initially how he did. But once he assessed the situation using common sense (they sped into an ER for crying out loud - and judging by the video he was patrolling or 'hiding' as he puts it VERY close to a hospital) he should have acted differently. "To serve and protect" is a motto often associated with the police force - and in this case, Officer Powell did both the Moats family and his department for all the controversy this is sure to kick up, a huge disservice. One can only imagine that if the tables ever turn for Officer Powell and he has to rush to the hospital to get to a dying family member's death bed that he would want to go there as fast as possible as well. But as Officer Powell said - "attitude is everything" - hopefully his attitude changes to one of compassion - especially for a person in his job - after the swarm of negative attention comes down on him from this.
After watching the video and reading the article, I have come to the conclusion that the officer was initially correct in his actions - however - once he was aware of the situation he could have handled things very differently.
From the police officer's point of view - yes, a traffic violation had occurred. He pursued the vehicle and followed it all the way to the hospital's emergency room entrance. This should have been the officer's first clue that this situation could have a little more behind it then he first thought. Then when a rightfully hysterical woman got out, he - again correctly - may have drawn his gun if he felt threatened. Than at this point, however, he was made aware of the reason for the erratic driving and non-stopping for the police car. From there, he should have let them go. The car was parked - he was parked behind it, it wasn't going anywhere. If he really wanted to verify the situation at this point could have simply waited (15 seconds or so based on the video) for backup to arrive and then he could have gone into the emergency room to check in with staff there. From there, if he still wanted to issue the tickets - running a red light, fleeing, parking illegally, or even arresting him - he could have easily done so.
Having never been in Moats situation of rushing to the hospital as a close family member was dying - I could in no way begin to describe what I would be feeling. Emotionally, I would have been at my wits end. I have to give Ryan Moats credit for maintaining his composure and getting through this without further incident. At several points in the video you can hear the officer be told of the situation - yet there is no urgency on his part. In fact, at one point a nurse comes out and even tries to explain that it was their fault for giving Moats the terrifying phone call - all to no avail. Moats is an NFL running back for the Houston Texans - had he wanted to get into that ER I'm relatively certain that - barring a gun or a taser - he could have.
Inevitably, this will somehow be twisted into a race issue. This fact is very sad and only adds to the tragic story that this is turning out to be for all parties involved.
It seems that this is far from over and even Dallas Police Chief, David Kunkle, has spoken out against his officer's actions. Again, I feel the officer was well within his rights to react initially how he did. But once he assessed the situation using common sense (they sped into an ER for crying out loud - and judging by the video he was patrolling or 'hiding' as he puts it VERY close to a hospital) he should have acted differently. "To serve and protect" is a motto often associated with the police force - and in this case, Officer Powell did both the Moats family and his department for all the controversy this is sure to kick up, a huge disservice. One can only imagine that if the tables ever turn for Officer Powell and he has to rush to the hospital to get to a dying family member's death bed that he would want to go there as fast as possible as well. But as Officer Powell said - "attitude is everything" - hopefully his attitude changes to one of compassion - especially for a person in his job - after the swarm of negative attention comes down on him from this.
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Comment by Randy Inman
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Comment by jesse-podoll
What strikes me in the video though is the total lack of compassion from the officer - no hurry, no urgency, no care really. Karma is going to catch up with this guy.
Comment by jesse-podoll
Sadly, his mother-in-law died in the 13 minutes he was 'detained' outside the hospital. His wife, however, was able to make it to her bedside for her final moments.
Comment by Randy Inman
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Comment by jesse-podoll
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