Texas cops don't mess around! Dallas Deputy Sheriff James Westbrook was ticked off, with good reason. A group of 50-100 motorcycle riders were playing some very unsafe games on the freeway. Last Memorial Day weekend, the same group was able to shut down the freeway and they decided to try again. Police dash cam videos show riders on sport bikes braking short in front of police cars, doing crazy lane changes and other dangerous stunts. Granted it wasn't Westbrook who was being taunted, but it was terribly frustrating for him anyway.
Rider Chris Moore was with the group but not participating in the criminal behavior; he was filming with a helmet cam. Deputy Westbrook wanted the camera off Moore's helmet for evidence of the other bikers crimes, so he pulled him over. Fortunately for Moore, his camera was still rolling cause wouldn't you know it, Deputy Westbrook's dash cam footage "doesn't exist!" The initial exchange between Westbrook and Moore:
MOORE: "Was I doing something wrong? What am I being pulled over for?"
WESTBROOK: "The whole group of you guys."
MOORE: "No. I was not, individually. How can you pull me over?"
WESTBROOK: "The reason you're being pulled over is because I'm gonna take your camera and we're gonna use it as evidence of the crimes that have been committed by other bikers."
MOORE: "I have not committed any crimes, and you cannot take my personal property from me, sir."
WESTBROOK: "That's fine. Need to see your license and registration."
The Dallas deputy returned from his car and arrested Moore... for an "obstructed license plate!" In the video, Deputy Westbrook is clearly losing control of himself as well as flat-out breaking the law by demanding Moore hand over his camera. He slams Moore onto the hood of his cruiser (at which point, Moore turns towards his bike and it shows his plate clearly), yanks on Moore's helmet in an attempt to get it off him, and slams him into the backseat. It's frightening to see just how angry this lawman gets.
Moore ended up spending eight hours in jail. His tape was turned over to the Gang Unit, but somehow, a local TV station got his video and put pressure on the department to review the case. There is now an internal investigation going on, and hopefully, Westbrook can pull some desk duty until he gets his anger issue dealt with. As for Moore, he should probably steer clear of large groups of little motorcycle terrorists and a certain Dallas deputy!
© Margie Wilson-Mars 2012
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