As a resident of Dallas, Texas concerned about the quality and integrity of those entrusted with my safety here are some questions I would like to see answered by Dallas Police Officer Robert Powell.
If you are given the privilege of being allowed to continue to protect and serve me and the other residents of Dallas, Texas what is your plan moving forward to ensure that the Ryan Moats incident is not the defining moment of your law enforcement career?
If you are given the privilege of being allowed to continue to protect and serve me and the other residents of Dallas, Texas what is your plan to convince me, the Moats and all other Dallas residents who you are sworn to protect and serve that what happened in front of Baylor Regional Hospital was an aberration? Can you convince us that it does not define who Robert Powell is as a person or a police officer?
While the Moats can never get back the moment that was taken from them, do you think that through your future conduct as a person and police officer you can make living amends to them and the residents of Dallas through your performance moving forward and to the city of Dallas itself which has received a black eye as a result of your conduct?
What is your explanation for your Xanga blog postings which imply animus towards non-English speaking Dallas residents. Does this posting define who you really are? If it does not, why should we believe you?
Finally, what have you learned? How will you apply what you have learned moving forward?
While I can only speak for myself, If you can answer these questions with honesty and insight as to your behaviour and assuming this incident was not part of a continuing pattern of derogatory conduct, I for one am willing to give you a second chance. I have certainly received enough of them in my life for some of my bad behviour. Not sure where I would be today without second chances. Can’t we all say that to some degree?
March 28th, 2009 at 7:17 pm
Great piece, great questions.
March 28th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
Amen. You can feel the officer's adrenaline building watching the video. This smacks of extremely poor training and/or hiring by the Dallas PD.
March 30th, 2009 at 5:44 am
You're more generous than I am. I'm thinking if this is how the guy behaves when he KNOWS he's on dashcam and a live mic… imagine how he'd behave when nobody can see. He accidentally told Moats his reason for seeking a job carrying a badge and a gun… "I can screw you over". Wonder what day they taught THAT phrase at the academ?
This guy just doesnt have the judgment to be entrusted with a job dealing with the public, much less in a position where he has authority to abuse. His sole talent seems to be tarnishing the rep of the DPD.
March 30th, 2009 at 6:59 pm
Robert Powell is a total and complete disgrace. After watching the video, I have a perfect opportunity for him – he can join the douche bags "serving and protecting" in Seven Points, Texas – hillbilly haven. He will fit right in.
March 30th, 2009 at 8:36 pm
I hope he gets fired but he will probably get his hands slapped and be sent back out to prove he is a spinless creep who got a badge and a gun to show he is a man. A real man wouldn't need one. Just another power monger cop
April 2nd, 2009 at 3:46 pm
I see absolutely no reason why he couldn't have asked to be taken to the hospital room to be
SHOWN by Moats that his relative WAS INFACT on their death bed. Police officers are investigators
and he should have investigated. There is NO reason why he couldn't have checked it out.
I hope the same thing happens to him when his mother is dying. I Pray it happens to him.
February 6th, 2010 at 7:52 pm
That sounds good but when in a position of power, in most cases, a zero tolerance policy is best which means no 2nd chances for certain acts.