By Shelley Kofler, KERA News
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-829226.mp3
Dallas, TX – Dallas police have accepted the resignation of Officer Robert Powell. Powell provoked angry emails from as far away as Germany after detaining NFL running back Ryan Moats. KERA's Shelley Kofler has the latest.
In a statement released by attorneys Officer Robert Powell apologized to fellow police for "mistakes." He said he hopes to personally apologize to the Moats family for his "poor judgment" and "unprofessional conduct."
Powell became the target of public outrage after national media aired reports about his March 17 traffic stop of Houston Texans running back Ryan Moats. Moats drove through a red light with his emergency lights flashing as he rushed to a Plano hospital. Moats mother-in-law was dying and the family wanted to reach her for a final visit. A camera on the police cruiser dash-board captured a frustrated Moats.
Moats: My mother-in-law is dying.
And Officer Powell's threats as he detained Moats for 13 minutes:
Powell: I can screw you over. Your attitude will dictate everything that happens.
Dallas Police Lt. Andy Harvey says the department will continue to investigate the incident even though the officer has resigned.
Harvey: This is something that has impacted our organization and it is in our best interest to be transparent and to be proactive in putting this out. This is not behavior we are going to tolerate in the Dallas Police Department.
Police say Powell retains his peace officer certification and could be hired by another department.