POST revokes Morrow police chief's certification

MORROW, Ga.,None — Georgia's Peace Officer Standards and Training Council confirms to Channel 2 Action News it has once again revoked the police certification for Morrow's former police chief Jeff Baker.

If Baker doesn't appeal the decision by Jan. 6, he will no longer be able to work as a police officer in Georgia.

"He can say whatever he wants in an appeal, but the facts of the case are still there," POST director Ken Vance said.

He said it is unlikely Baker will work as a police officer in Georgia again.

"POST has 11 standards that they look at on a violation. Being passed out at a red light would probably cover about 4 of them," Vance said.

In November, an officer found Baker at an intersection and noted he was too drunk to unlock his door or roll down his window. There were several beer cans inside the patrol car.

The POST council voted to revoke Baker's police certification Dec. 6, following his DUI arrest. The decision took 10 days to become public.

"I don't think he'll get past this one," Vance said.

POST had previously revoked Baker's certification three years ago after a Channel 2 Action News investigation showed he faked his firearms training records. But Baker appealed that decision and it's yet to be resolved, so he was allowed to continue working. He resigned after this latest incident.

"If he does appeal this decision, could it be another 3 years before there's an outcome?" Channel 2 investigative reporter Jodie Fleischer asked.

http://bcove.me/a5ps7tve

"Lord I hope not. No, I think it'll move very quickly now," Vance answered.

POST said if Baker appeals the new action, it would likely be rolled in with his previous case. Even if revoked, he can still ask to be reinstated after two years.

But the director said that would be unlikely with two revocations on his record.

"It is arrogant on its face. But that's something that he's going to have to put up with. POST is going to do its job," Vance said.

Fleischer spoke with former Attorney General Mike Bowers, who had been representing Baker in his first POST revocation appeal.

Bowers confirmed he is no longer representing Baker after receiving a call from the City of Morrow saying it would no longer pay Baker's legal bills after his arrest.

Baker did not return calls.

WSBTV