It appears
that East St. Louis
“font-family: Verdana;”>Mayor “font-family: Verdana;”>Parks Jr.’ attempts to sneak Alorton Police Chief Michael Baxton through the backdoor as ESL top cop has backfired for good.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>That is because the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board has rescinded Baxton’s state certification, determining that Baxton was convicted of robbery in 1982, according to a letter dated October 14, 2011.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>The letter further states that if Baxton were to continue as a law enforcement officer it would constitute a felony.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>As a result, Baxton cannot carry a weapon, nor can he serve as a police officer, forcing Alorton Mayor Randy McCallum to place Baxton on unpaid administrative leave.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>This means that for the past 29 years Michael Baxton has served in various law enforcement capacities under false pretenses.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>And it’s not as if Baxton is oblivious to the fact that he was arrested or convicted of a burglary, despite his repeated denials to KMOV-TV reporter Craig Cheatham and others. Cheatham has, on more than one occasion, displayed the infamous mug shot of a young Michael Baxton with Baxton denying, repeatedly, that he was never convicted.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>How does one forget committing a robbery or being booked as a result? Selective amnesia perhaps?
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Now, apparently, the truth has been revealed. Baxton was even forced to resign from the St. Clair County Emergency Telephone System Board because of his decertification. Baxton previously held one of two designated police officer slots on the board.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>When asked about Baxton’s status Mayor Parks, always one to state the obvious, said, “Wow, that really is a show-stopper for Mike Baxton.” Parks further stated that “I feel sorry for Mike… I feel bad right now… He is a very good man and a very good law enforcement man.”
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Really
Mayor Parks? Do you feel bad that Baxton was exposed or bad about
your ineptitude in selecting ESL leadership?
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Parks’ former deputy liquor commissioner Walter Hill now resides in federal prison for shaking-down liquor-licensed establishments and now the former ESL police chief (Baxton) is exposed as a robber. So much for background checks.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>And how does an alleged robber become a “good law enforcement officer”? Only in the bizarre world of Alvin Parks does such lunacy make sense.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>If someone is convicted of passing bad checks, one does not hire them as a bank official. They would be forced to seek employment outside of the realm of the banking community (because of their crimes) irrespective to whether or not they were a “good man” or woman.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>So it is with Michael Baxton. Let us not pretend that no other employment exists. It may not be Baxton’s first choice, but our choices, lapses in judgment and misdeeds have consequences, a lesson that is often discarded in “East Boogie” poli-tricks.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>I don’t doubt that Michael Baxton is good man and I wish him well, but not as a law enforcement official. East St. Louis and the world, for that matter, send enough double-standards and mixed messages to our kids.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>This is one mixed-message that is correctable.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>NOTE: If you like my column, you’ll love my radio show, “Listen Up”, on WGNU-920am radio each Friday from 7-8 p.m. Tune in and call in. I’d love to hear from you. Email:
“mailto:jtingram_1960@yahoo.com”>
“text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;”>jtingram_1960@yahoo.com
