An investigation by the Arkansas State Police into allegations of paperwork fraud by Mayflower Police Chief Billy Baker has been turned over to prosecutors for review, 20th Judicial Prosecutor Cody Hiland said on Thursday.
Baker was suspended with pay in October pending the outcome of the investigation into allegations that Baker submitted fraudulent paperwork for a radar speed gun class and test for his department, claiming that officers took the 16-hour class and passed the test when they did neither.
The certified course is a requirement for any law enforcement officer who uses a radar gun to monitor speeds of vehicles on highways or other roads.
Two sheets are required to be signed by the police chief, one for those attending the class and one for passing the test. It is alleged that no one from the department took the test and the police chief signed both sheets of paper and turned them into the state police.If proven true, anyone who was issued a ticket for speeding by use of a radar gun by a Mayflower police officer could be able to contest the ticket and either not pay the fine or be issued restitution.
Sgt. Jeremy Hanson is serving as interim police chief until a hearing set for Nov. 22.
(Megan Reynolds is a staff writer and can be reached by e-mail at megan.reynolds@thecabin.net or by phone at 505-1277. Follow us on Twitter @lcddonline.)
Comments (14)
Add commentIs that date right?
"Sgt. Jeremy Hanson is serving as interim police chief until a hearing set for Nov. 22."
They're having the hearing on Thanksgiving?
The date was provided by the
The date was provided by the Mayflower Mayor's office. We (meaning I) did not realize it was on Thanksgiving until I saw the calendar. That will be looked into tomorrow.
Like Normal
We have court every Thursday except holidays but excluding the holidays before hearing can be scheduled seems to elude police and court officers.
Or like Tab's special tax elections (money for employees) what better day to run something shady through the local legal system.
Oh wow
They sure are quick to jump on paperwork fraud allegations for a tiny one horse town police chief, but no word about Andy's fraudulent love child?
It's the difference between
It's the difference between the Fed's and the State Police doing the investigating. Andy Shock's case was turned over to Federal investigators, probably the same ones that took two years to investigate the alledged driveway paving issue. Baker's case is being investigated by the state boys.
I suspect the fictional love child will be running for President before the Fed's get through investigating.
It's called "open and shut"
Officers didn't take a course and pass a test. Chief signed his name on a document saying they did and then submitted it.
What else is there to investigate?
oh I see now.
It's a completely different set of circumstances and evidence. That makes sense now. Thank you.
Yep
Perhaps the federal investigation into the Shock mailing would have been completed quicker if the person who sent them would have signed their name at the bottom of the letter. It certainly helped expedite this Mayflower investigation.
signing a documnet is the difference?
Yep, the feds sure jumped all over Steve Hawks when he falsely signed a federal firearm form. He admitted to signing the document and admitted he knew it was a federal violation. Yep the Feds jumped all over that one so quickly. Difference maybe is the Mayflower PD is not quite as connected as the county civil attorney was when he committed a federal firearms violation. Maybe?
Par for the course
“I did not sign that document, someone else signed my name”
LOL