To Protect And Serve

By now, I’m sure you all have seen the video tape of the officer who detained Ryan Moats from being at his mother-in-law’s bedside as she lay dying from breast cancer. If you haven’t seen the tape, you can go here to view it.

Watching this video, I felt a wide range of emotions. Of course I was concerned that Mr. Moats and his family were rushing to the hospital at night, and that they ran a red light. What worries me, however, is the fact that the hazard lights were on, Mr. Moats stopped at all stop signs, and was not speeding (at least the way it looked from the tape), and Officer Robert Powell hid behind his badge and detained this man from saying his final goodbyes to his mother-in-law, unnecessarily.

There are many, many different ways this could have turned out. I have always believed that when a police officer sees someone in desperation, there should be some kind of empathy that kicks in that overrides police work. Mr. Moats and his wife and their family pulled into a hospital parking lot; they didn’t continue to drive, they didn’t pull into a Quickie Mart…and they immediately got out of the car to explain the situation. But because this officer was so intent on “doing his job,” this has blown up to become something it did not need to be.

I’ve read a lot on the area where this happened, and inquiries on whether this was racially motivated. I don’t know about that, and can’t make that determination. What I can determine is that the officer in question apparently missed out on the Human Relations courses taught at the police academy. Because his interaction with the Moats’ was abhorrent. Even if he was so intent on writing a ticket, at least go into the hospital to verify the story that they so desperately conveyed to him from the moment they stepped out of the car. This rookie cop (he has been with the department for 3 years) apparently has a lot to learn about what his badge and uniform mean. And he has a lot to learn about what exactly “doing his job” entails.

I’m a bit naive when it comes to issues involving the police. I’ve only had to rely on them when I’m calling them on someone else (which has happened rarely…maybe once or twice). And the times that I have needed their assistance, I’ve been treated with the utmost kindness and respect. Maybe that has something to do with the fact that I’m a woman, and less threatening. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that I live in a middle-class neighborhood, surrounded by other non-threatening folks (you know what I mean). Or maybe it has a lot to do with the fact that they’ve already checked me out and I’m clean as a whistle…I don’t know. But what I do know is this tarnishes my view of them…all of them. Because one bad apple always spoils the bunch. However, I was glad to see the Chief of Police immediately come out and speak against the actions of this officer, and say that it didn’t represent what should happen.

I’m a believer of actions. Because more and more, I’m seeing these sorts of actions over what I’ve always believed to be the correct way: dealing with individuals with a willingly helpful attitude rather than a “I’m going to take you down, no matter what” one. Show me, then I will believe you.

Peace and blessings…