Only two weeks ago on March 13th, I had a DMNews Op-Ed centerpiece about the Dallas Southeast Division Deputy Police Chief Patricia Paulhill that was a salute to the honor and dedication of a remarkable police officer who was among other things 1) the first female SWAT commander 2) African-American trailblazer vet hired in 1981. 3) Leader 4 years of the largest of Dallas’ 7 divisions and 4) responsible for Southeast being the next largest crime stat reduction in Dallas 2008.

So my point? Highly placed Op-Ed. Huge photo of Chief Paulhill. Gets one letter to the editor published by readers. Officer Powell’s story created an avalanche of negative backlash overwhelming blog com box postings, etc.

No one knows more than I the sleeze of rogue cops. I took two to court after a faked false arrest that makes Moats’ case look like the welcome wagon in Bible school…and won in a jury trial Feb.2006. I lost 2 1/2 yrs. of my life fighting those bastards and lost most of my hair from the stress. So I know bad cops when I see or hear them.

I know great cops when I see them also. I saw one in the casket in January when I (as a private citizen) attended the funeral of slain gang unit Sr. Cpl. Smith. And I also know a real role model hero when I see one. And so I wrote about Patricia Paulhill and all she has done for so many for so long.

But people are less interested in reading about heroes. They instead have an insatiable appetite for blood sport revenge-against-unjust-authority hot topics. And the shithead Powell delivered the red meat the lions prefer. And ironically most of those who pounced on this story… like a sailor on shore leave would a willing whore…. have never really met a horrible cop face to face. Their worst experience was getting a 84 mph speeding ticket on the N. Dallas Tollway.

Vo.

:techman:

BR please trust me on this, not all Dallas cops support Powell’s outrageous behavior.

I’ve seen some police officers defending Powell in discussion boards both on DallasNews.com and across the country (I’m in MA), and it reminds me very much of the way ranks can close among soldiers when one of their own is accused of some heinous act in the heat of battle (e.g., shooting a non-combant, etc.). I saw this in my time in the Army. Except that…in this case, it does not take some special, galvanizing experience to understand the circumstances. Who can’t understand Powell’ situation here? To whom is not patently obvious that Moats and his wife’s family are in an actual, honest state of crisis right here? With no weapons involved, no other folks around, no suspicious activity other than the blinkered red light roll-through, and frantic pleadings, this is not the battle of Fallujah here! Powell’s situation is transparent, plainly obvious to even his two little children.

Unfortunately, I do believe that Powell’s poisoned judgment and abuse of his position cannot be screened for, and cannot be mitigated with briefings, training exercises, etc….for a lesser incident, maybe, but not for an offense so large. There are just bad apples out there! Sometimes, you can’t tell until thye’re put under stress or their flaws just burst out. And getting to serve the public in any capacity is a privilege, not a right–and in no role is that more true than in the law enforcment and public safety responsibilities of a police officer.

Kudos, Trey.