Comments on: Dallas Police Officer David Powell Apologizes to Ryan Moats and Family

By: Jullius Briscoe

Jullius Briscoe — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:43:45 +0000

Powell has lost the public trust because he failed to see the big picture even with cues provided by the more experienced Plano officer and the hospital staff. Because Powell does have a family, I would recommend he consider work in the penal system where telling good guys from the bad is not as difficult. I wish him well but I do not want him out there. On the apology, it should not have taken him this long to take responsibility for an error in judgement. Only enlightend self interest finally moved him to change course.

By: Lyn

Lyn — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 19:41:55 +0000

Officer Powell should not have apologized. He did, though, so we’re stuck with another black male getting away with being pushy and disrespectful of traffic laws, law enforcement, and Whites.

One more thing. I don’t want to hear about some cop being scared. He drew his pistol because tactically it was the right thing to do. Officer Powell did not know anything other than what he could see – a SUV with several people in it was not stopping and when it did people started to quickly get out 1 walked away 1 ran up on him. Officer Powell – and most other White cops – are not scared of blacks.

Ryan Moats needs to wear a skirt from now on. Because he whines like a female. Moats, and all the other coloreds who whine about profiling and po-lice brutality: CRY ME A RIVER.

By: Jullius Briscoe

Jullius Briscoe — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 16:05:42 +0000

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By: Jullius Briscoe

Jullius Briscoe — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 16:04:01 +0000

I have been told the hardest thing about serving as a police officer is dealing with people during their most difficult circumstances. I do not know if ethics are part of the training of officers but I think it should be. Maybe, assigning this officer to teach a course on how to balance doing what is legal with doing what is right would be an appropriate section. I was going to recommend that he be assigned a senior officer to patrol but I realize that what that means is that his decision making when alone is questionable. The DPD and the Citizens of Dallas need officers who are going to do the right thing when no one is looking (definiton of integrity, I believe).

On the other side, I hope that citizens will be fair and remember that most cops want to just do their job well, complete their shift, and go home. There are lessons for all in this situation.

By: Daniel Dessinger

Daniel Dessinger — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 15:38:16 +0000

@Jullius Briscoe, Those were definitely important cues to miss. I would agree that such errors in judgment do call for strict response from the DPD Chief.

Perhaps working in the penal system WOULD be a good idea. I think the unconvincing belated apology is the icing on the reputation crisis cake. If he doesn’t sound sincere, let him work it off in the penal system like you said.

By: Daniel Dessinger

Daniel Dessinger — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 15:34:45 +0000

@Janie K., Good point, Janie. While I don’t personally believe in the officer’s sincerity, I’m not bloodthirsty either. This is why judge’s aren’t picked at random. The responsibilities of determining guilt and/or punishment should be taken more seriously than my words can express.

Then again, if the situation were different and I felt more outrage, I might not be so objective about this.

By: Daniel Dessinger

Daniel Dessinger — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 15:32:22 +0000

@Gabe Thomie, Indeed, that is the biggest indictment against his sincerity. Waiting to see how the media portrays an event and waiting to see how the public responds are not signs of contrition. They’re calculated signs of a person waiting to see if they can get away with their mistake.

And if that’s not Powell’s motivation, it’s still the perceived motivation.

By: Jullius Briscoe

Jullius Briscoe — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 15:31:37 +0000

By: Daniel Dessinger

Daniel Dessinger — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 15:31:06 +0000

@Ryan, That may be what the police chief decides to do.

By: Daniel Dessinger

Daniel Dessinger — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 15:27:43 +0000

@Jen Winn, My first reaction was the same as yours. Having reflected for a few days, it’s harder for me now to want to see that man’s career thrown away. Yes, it’s a mistake that will mark him for a while. But I’ve known many men who are well respected in their respected fields who made terrible mistakes early on, either professionally or personally.

Ultimately, I’m glad the decision for punishment/correction doesn’t fall upon my shoulders. I’d hate to see Powell let off with a slap on the wrist, but I’d equally hate to see us as a culture set standards that one mistake is unforgivable.

I think the best recourse is to severely punish him with some sort of menial duties for a year and then give him the opportunity to earn back his position.

But those are just my personal thoughts and opinions.