Tweet
Officer involved in controversial Dallas traffic stop of NFL player Ryan Moats finds new job.
02:25 PM CDT on Thursday, September 24, 2009
By JONATHAN BETZ / WFAA-TV
[email protected]
STRATFORD, Texas - A former Dallas police officer who detained an NFL player from visiting his dying mother-in-law at a hospital has found a new job in a small community in the Texas Panhandle
Officer Robert Powell has been employed by the city of Stratford, which is about 80 miles north of Amarillo, since August.
"Officer Powell made a mistake," said Stratford Police Chief Winston Dennis. "We all agree it could have been handled differently. But, was it a bad enough mistake to say he should never be a cop again? And I think the answer's no."
In March, Powell stopped NFL running back Ryan Moats as he rushed with his wife to see his dying mother-in-law at a North Texas hospital. Powell followed Moats' speeding car into the hospital's parking lot and delayed him despite pleas from Moats, his wife and nurses to let him go inside.
"I can screw you over," Powell could be heard saying to Moats on a dashboard camera video.
The video was replayed on television and the Internet and sparked nationwide outrage. The incident led Dallas Police Chief David Kunkle to apologize for Powell's behavior and later Powell's resignation in April.
"I made this decision in the hope that my resignation will allow the Dallas Police Department, my fellow officers, and the citizens of Dallas to better reflect on this experience, learn from the mistakes made, and move forward," he then said in a statement issued by his attorneys.
Stratford residents say Powell now lives alone, leading a quiet life and patrolling the town of 2,000 at night. But, even in this small town, the outrage remains. Fliers that have been circulating questioned the decision made by city leaders.
"There's some people upset in Stratford; I'll say that upfront," said Mayor Jimmy Lanning. "Some people are angry that he's here."
At a local restaurant, little sympathy was expressed for the newcomer. "I don't approve of what he did," said resident Kerry Bell. "He seemed to be a little racist."
Powell has largely avoided the media. WFAA-TV was told he left town as soon as he heard a news van was arriving.
"He's dealing with the pressure," Lanning said. "That's what he's got to do, deal with it every day."
02:25 PM CDT on Thursday, September 24, 2009
By JONATHAN BETZ / WFAA-TV
[email protected]
STRATFORD, Texas - A former Dallas police officer who detained an NFL player from visiting his dying mother-in-law at a hospital has found a new job in a small community in the Texas Panhandle
Officer Robert Powell has been employed by the city of Stratford, which is about 80 miles north of Amarillo, since August.
"Officer Powell made a mistake," said Stratford Police Chief Winston Dennis. "We all agree it could have been handled differently. But, was it a bad enough mistake to say he should never be a cop again? And I think the answer's no."
In March, Powell stopped NFL running back Ryan Moats as he rushed with his wife to see his dying mother-in-law at a North Texas hospital. Powell followed Moats' speeding car into the hospital's parking lot and delayed him despite pleas from Moats, his wife and nurses to let him go inside.
"I can screw you over," Powell could be heard saying to Moats on a dashboard camera video.
The video was replayed on television and the Internet and sparked nationwide outrage. The incident led Dallas Police Chief David Kunkle to apologize for Powell's behavior and later Powell's resignation in April.
"I made this decision in the hope that my resignation will allow the Dallas Police Department, my fellow officers, and the citizens of Dallas to better reflect on this experience, learn from the mistakes made, and move forward," he then said in a statement issued by his attorneys.
Stratford residents say Powell now lives alone, leading a quiet life and patrolling the town of 2,000 at night. But, even in this small town, the outrage remains. Fliers that have been circulating questioned the decision made by city leaders.
"There's some people upset in Stratford; I'll say that upfront," said Mayor Jimmy Lanning. "Some people are angry that he's here."
At a local restaurant, little sympathy was expressed for the newcomer. "I don't approve of what he did," said resident Kerry Bell. "He seemed to be a little racist."
Powell has largely avoided the media. WFAA-TV was told he left town as soon as he heard a news van was arriving.
"He's dealing with the pressure," Lanning said. "That's what he's got to do, deal with it every day."
Comment