More police misconduct?? Officers caught on camera fabricating police report

In the aftermath of the Henry Louis Gates incident, not only has dialogue opened up nationwide regarding race relations, but police conduct has also been thrown into the spotlight.

A few days ago, another situation involving "questionable" police behavior was uncovered. Back in February, police officers in Hollywood, Florida charged 23 year-old Alexandra Torrensvillas with DUI and a traffic violation following a fender-bender where the officers ran into the back of her car.

Upon questioning Torrensvillas admitted that she had been drinking. The officers were caught on the dashboard camera devising a plot to spin the story to make it appear as if the accident was a result of Torrensvillas driving under the influence and not the fault of the officers who were following too closely.

Check out the news story:

Now in the Gates situation, there is some fuzziness surrounding the details and who is most at fault, but here the facts are clear cut and officers are clearly in the wrong.

Sgt. Dewey Pressley, a 21-year veteran on the force is can be heard on the tape saying "well, I don't lie and makes things up ever because it's wrong, but if I need to bend it a little to protect a cop, I'm gonna."

To make matters worse, Pressley then goes on to direct another officer on how to write the report.

"I will write the narrative out for you. I will tell you exactly how to word it so it can get him off the hook. You see the angle of her car? You see the way it's like this? As far as I'm concerned, I am going to word it she is in the left hand lane. We will do a little Walt Disney to protect the cop, because it wouldn't matter because she was drunk anyway.."

Wow..Talk about abusing the law. The officers have since been placed on desk duty and the charges against Torrensvillas have been dropped.

Now I know the Gates incident and this have little in common other than the fact that police behavior in both situations have come under scrutiny. If anything, police behavior and the officers' commitment to enforcing not abusing the law should be the common thread these incidents share. Unfortunately that's not the case.

In another incident, an openly gay attonery from D.C. was arrested and ticketed after police officers overheard him telling his friends that he hates the police. Apparently, officers handcuffed him without giving their reason and then told him to "just shut up fa**@!"

Henry Gates is a prominent scholar, and because of that he was able to draw attention to his plight, even gaining sympathy/support from the President of the United States. Alexandra Torrensvillas had the good fortune of a dashboard camera to capture her arresting officers transgressions. The prominent lawyer in D.C. has his reputation and legal knowledge to aid him in his battle. Not everyone is that lucky, and the fact that these incidents happened in different parts of the country under different circumstances tells me that this is not a racial/class struggle between police and civilians, but rather a culture of superiority over the law within police departments nationwide. These cops are setting a dangerous precedent, and the issue needs to be addressed sooner rather than later.

In the mean time, I'll just make sure to be on my P's & Q's when I see Johnny Law approaching and let N.W.A comment on my feelings about coppers...

Officer Ryan Powell resigns amid controversy

Officer Ryan Powell, the gentleman who severely delayed Ryan Moats and his wife as they were trying to visit a dying relative has resigned. If you aren't familiar with the case, check my previous post on the situation.

Moats and his wife sat down with Robin Roberts on Good Morning America on Monday to share their side of what happened that night. The couple forgave the officer, and said that while they had not gotten one yet, an apology would be accepted. 

Kudos to Ryan Moats and his wife Tamishia for remaining so civil despite the blatant disrespect Officer Powell showed, and unnecessary stress this event has caused. I don't know how they have done it. The loss of a mother/mother-in law is a substantial burden in itself, and combined with the additional stresses that have been placed on that family, one can only imagine what they are going through.  

The entire GMA interview with Robin Roberts:

As I said before, the Moats family spoke to Robin Roberts on Monday. Yesterday, Officer Powell sat down with a local TV station in Dallas to offer an apology and give his side of the story.

Despite the fact that the Moats family has been gracious, declined to press charges, and accepted Officer Powell's apology, I guess the fallout in and around Dallas was too great and Officer Moats decided that it would be in his and the police department's best interest to part ways. I can't say that I'm disappointed or shocked by this news. 

Texas police prevent NFL player from visiting dying relative

This story is outrageous... A police officer in Plano, TX has been placed on desk duty following an ordeal he had with Houston Texans running back, Ryan Moats. Moats and his wife were en route to a hospital to visit her mother in her final moments. 

In a rush to get to the hospital, Moats and his wife ran a red light. A cop flashed the vehicle, and pulled the couple over in front of the hospital. The drama that ensues is astonishing. The police officer holds Moats in the car for 13 minutes despite numerous pleas. Moats' wife left the vehicle to be with her mother, but the officer held Moats because he could not find his insurance. Moats' mother-in-law passed during the ordeal outside, and Moats was not allowed a chance to say his goodbyes. 

The Plano police dept. has revoked the ticket if it helps...

When you watch these videos, (there's 2 parts) listen to the officer and how he handles the situation, despite the pleas from Moats. The 'chase' ends, and the confrontation begins at 1:00.

 

The way that officer bullied Ryan Moats given the circumstances is atrocious. I understand Moats committed a traffic violation, but he shouldn't have been prevented from seeing his dying mother-in-law in the hospital parking lot as a result. A cops duty is "to protect and serve," not bully and intimidate. Officer Robert Powell should no longer be allowed to be carry his badge.