Robert Powell is a former Dallas police officer who resigned from the department on April 1, 2009. Powell had been with the Dallas Police department since 2006.

Powell was placed on administrative leave after detaining National Football League player Ryan Moats on March 18, 2009, for running a red light. Moats was rushing his family to see his mother-in-law, who was near death, at the time of the police stop. Powell continued to detain Moats, even after he and hospital officials explained the situation, during which time his mother-in-law died.Dallas Morning News: Dallas Police Chief Apologizes for Conduct of Officer... Moats appeared on Good Morning America on March 30, 2009, to share his frustration surrounding the incident.

On March 29, 2009, Maritza Thomas, wife of former Cowboys' linebacker Zach Thomas went public with her own Robert Powell story. Thomas was arrested in July of 2008 after Powell pulled her over for making an illegal u-turn. She was jailed for three hours before posting bail. Initially Thomas was not going to file charges, but has since changed her mind due to the Ryan Moats incident. She hopes this will help others who might have experienced similar encounters with Powell.ESPN: Thomas' wife detained by Moats' cop (March 29, 2009)

Shortly after receiving a call from the hospital that his mother-in-law, 45-year-old Jonetta Collinsworth, was near death, losing a battle with breast cancer, Moats, his wife Tamishia, an aunt and Collinsworth's father rushed to Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano, Texas. After exiting the highway, Moats, driving with his emergency flashers on, yielded at a red light, then passed after making sure the intersection was clear. Powell spotted the violation and began to follow Moats to the hospital.Dallas Morning News: Dallas Police Chief Apologizes for Conduct of Officer...

Moats stopped in the hospital parking lot, with his wife and aunt rushing out of the SUV. According to Tamishia, Powell pulled his gun and pointed it at her, instructing her to get back in the vehicle. Tamishia and the aunt ignored Powell and rushed inside to be with Collinsworth.Dallas Morning News: Dallas Police Chief Apologizes for Conduct of Officer...

Moats began to explain the situation to the officer, however Powell continued writing the ticket, checking for warrants and lecturing Moats on what he could do for the failure to comply. Hospital security intervened, telling Powell and another officer who had arrived the seriousness of Collinsworth's condition. Powell responded that he was "almost done" then continued to lecture Moats.Dallas Morning News: Dallas Police Chief Apologizes for Conduct of Officer...

After 13 minutes, Moats was permitted to enter the hospital, however Collinsworth had passed before he reached her.Dallas Morning News: Dallas Police Chief Apologizes for Conduct of Officer...

"His behavior in my opinion, did not exhibit the common sense, discretion, the compassion that we expect our officers to exhibit... When we in the command staff reviewed the tapes, we were embarrassed, disappointed — it's hard to find the right words and still be professional in my role as a police chief."Dallas Morning News: Dallas Police Chief Apologizes for Conduct of Officer...